Hospital outpatient departments, both on and off the hospital campus, must comply with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act beginning in July 2000. On campus hospital-based providers must also come into compliance in 2000. This handbook describes the requirements of the federal law, referred to as EMTALA or the federal anti-dumping statute, explaining EMTALA's requirements, how those requirements apply in outpatient care settings, and what is necessary for compliance. It also provides sample compliance documentation and the full text of relevant laws, regulations, and advisories.