Bill > HB2116

This bill creates the "No Patient Left Alone Act" and the "Essential Caregiver Program Act" to ensure patient visitation rights in healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and other declared states of emergency. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring healthcare facilities to allow at least two "compassionate care visitors" for at least 6 hours daily, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, with some exceptions. 2. Establishing an "Essential Caregiver Program" that allows patients/residents to designate at least two "essential caregivers" who can have in-person contact for at least 4 hours daily during a state of emergency, with some restrictions. 3. Empowering the Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Mental Health to develop standards and guidelines for the visitation policies. 4. Providing legal immunity to healthcare facilities for compliance with the new visitation requirements, except for acts of recklessness or willful misconduct. The overarching goal is to ensure patient access to compassionate care and essential caregivers, especially during public health emergencies when visitation may otherwise be restricted.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2116&year=2022&code=R