Bill > HB521

This bill, known as the Harold Sachs Act, aims to ensure that patients in healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and long-term care facilities, are allowed to have one caregiver or visitor during a declared public health emergency, subject to reasonable safety protocols. The bill requires healthcare facilities to continue allowing patient visitation consistent with federal laws and guidelines, while allowing facilities to impose reasonable restrictions based on factors like the patient's likelihood of exposing others to an infectious disease or the visitor's failure to adhere to proper infection control practices. The bill also mandates that healthcare facilities allow family or caregiver presence in certain situations, such as end-of-life care and support for patients with disabilities. Additionally, the bill provides healthcare facilities with liability protection for damages related to COVID-19 exposure during visitation, as long as they follow applicable protocols.

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