Bill > HF345

This bill, known as the "No Patient Left Alone Act," establishes a legal right for patients and residents in healthcare facilities to have at least one support person present while receiving care services. The bill defines a "support person" broadly, including individuals who meet the patient's physical or mental needs, provide end-of-life support, offer religious guidance, or provide specific services like hairdressing. Healthcare providers must create written policies allowing support persons, with some important provisions: they must provide maximum access to patients, accommodate family visits in end-of-life situations, allow clergy members as additional support persons, and offer virtual visitation options when in-person visits are impossible. The bill prohibits providers from requiring patients to waive these rights or consent to additional conditions like advance directives. Providers who knowingly violate the act can be fined $500 per day, and the law maintains some exemptions, such as restricting support persons from operating rooms, isolation units, or critical care situations. The bill also protects providers from liability for providing support person access and allows restrictions in specific circumstances, such as when the support person poses a health or safety risk.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0345&ssn=0&y=2025