Bill > HB403

This bill establishes the "No Patient Left Alone Act" in Mississippi, which guarantees visitation rights for patients in healthcare facilities. For minor patients, the bill ensures that a parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis can be physically present during care. Adult patients can designate a spouse, family member, or caregiver to be present during their treatment. Healthcare facilities can limit visitation under specific circumstances, such as medical contraindications, potential interference with patient care, disruptive visitor behavior, or non-compliance with facility policies. Facilities must provide personal protective equipment if required and can revoke visitation rights for non-compliance. The bill explicitly prohibits healthcare facilities, the State Department of Health, and other governmental entities from terminating or suspending these visitation rights, even during emergencies. Healthcare facilities must post informational materials about these rights on their websites, and the State Department of Health can impose escalating fines for violations, starting at $1,000 for the first day and increasing to $10,000 per day for subsequent violations. The bill provides some protections for healthcare facilities, noting they are not liable for visitor actions or safety, and the act will not apply if compliance would violate state or federal regulations. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0403.xml