summary
Introduced
02/20/2024
02/20/2024
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/28/2024
03/28/2024
Introduced Session
2023-2024 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation and construction of hospitals and other healthcare facilities, so as to prohibit healthcare facilities from instituting any policy that limits patients' abilities to be visited by a legal representative as a condition precedent to obtaining or maintaining a permit to operate a healthcare facility; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for reasonable safety precautions; to authorize temporary suspension or termination of access of a legal representative; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for enforcement; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, the "No Patient Left Alone Act," amends Georgia's laws to prohibit healthcare facilities from limiting patients' access to their legal representatives for at least one hour per day during extended hospital stays or treatment. A "legal representative" is defined as someone 21 or older designated by the patient to assist with medical decisions, access information, or act on the patient's behalf. The bill establishes this access as a fundamental right and requires healthcare facilities to allow it as a condition of maintaining their operating permits, with limited exceptions for specific medical necessities. The bill also directs the state health department to create regulations and enforce compliance with these new patient visitation requirements.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (6)
David Clark (R)*,
Matt Hatchett (R)*,
Mitchell Horner (R)*,
Mesha Mainor (R)*,
Mark Newton (R)*,
Patty Marie Stinson (D)*,
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 02/22/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/67211 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20232024/224623 |
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