summary
Introduced
01/07/2021
01/07/2021
In Committee
04/01/2021
04/01/2021
Crossed Over
02/12/2021
02/12/2021
Passed
04/09/2021
04/09/2021
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/29/2021
04/29/2021
Introduced Session
2021 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Hospital and health facility visitation. Allows a person admitted as a patient to a hospital or ambulatory outpatient surgical center (facility) to receive visitation by specified individuals during a declared emergency or public health emergency. Requires visitors to comply with applicable disease control or prevention guidelines issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when visiting a patient. Requires a facility to permit the visitation of a person admitted as a patient in a facility during specified compassionate care scenarios. Allows a facility to limit visitation in certain instances. Provides certain civil immunity for a facility, its employees, and contractors for an injury or harm caused by or resulting from: (1) the exposure of a contagious disease or other harmful agent that is specified during a disaster emergency; or (2) acts or omissions by visitors who are present in the facility; as a result of the implementation of the required protocols. Requires health facilities and residential care facilities (health facilities) to allow visitation of a resident in a compassionate care situation. Requires the state department of health to adopt standards and guidelines concerning the essential family caregiver program during a declared emergency or public health emergency and requires facilities to participate in the program. Allows for the designation of an essential family caregiver for a resident of a health facility and allows for visitation during restricted visitation at the health facility. Specifies requirements for an individual to be designated as an essential family caregiver and allows for the reconsideration and reporting of a denial of a request for designation. Allows the state department of health to adopt certain rules concerning the program. Provides certain civil immunity for a health facility, its employees, and contractors for an injury or harm caused by or resulting from: (1) the exposure of a contagious disease or other harmful agent that is specified during a disaster emergency; or (2) acts or omissions by visitors who are present in the health facility; as a result of the implementation of the required protocols.
AI Summary
This bill aims to ensure hospital and health facility visitation rights during declared emergencies or public health crises. The key provisions are:
- Requires hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other facilities to allow patient visitation by family members, legal representatives, clergy, essential caregivers, and others during emergencies or compassionate care situations, subject to certain safety protocols.
- Requires health facilities and residential care facilities to allow visitation of residents in compassionate care situations during emergencies.
- Establishes an "essential family caregiver program" that allows residents or their representatives to designate individuals to assist with the resident's care during restricted visitation periods. The facility must accommodate these essential caregivers within reason.
- Provides civil immunity for facilities, employees, and contractors for harm caused by exposure to contagious diseases or visitor actions, as long as required protocols are followed.
- Allows the state health department to adopt rules to oversee and enforce the essential family caregiver program.
The bill aims to balance patient/resident visitation rights with facility safety protocols during public health emergencies.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (22)
Brad Barrett (R)*,
Ed Charbonneau (R)*,
Matthew Lehman (R)*,
Jean Leising (R)*,
Doug Miller (R)*,
Rick Niemeyer (R)*,
Linda Rogers (R)*,
Tim Wesco (R)*,
Vaneta Becker (R),
Justin Busch (R),
Stacey Donato (R),
Blake Doriot (R),
Mike Gaskill (R),
Ron Grooms (R),
Erin Houchin (R),
Eric Koch (R),
Eddie Melton (D),
Ryan Mishler (R),
Jeff Raatz (R),
Jim Tomes (R),
Shelli Yoder (D),
Andy Zay (R),
Last Action
Public Law 142 (on 04/29/2021)
Official Document
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