Bill > HB0377

This bill, known as the "Patient Rights Act," enacts several new provisions to protect the rights of patients in Tennessee. It establishes the right of healthcare practitioners to administer treatments based on their medical judgment, the right of patients to access alternative treatments available under emergency use authorization, and the right to transfer or be released from care within 12 hours of a request. The bill also grants patients the right to designate an advocate, the right to be free from unreasonable restraint or sedation, and the right to be roomed with family members. Additionally, it prohibits discrimination in admission or treatment and protects the privacy of medical records. The bill outlines enforcement mechanisms, including fines for violations, and specifies that these patient rights apply even during states of emergency.