Bill > HF2408

This bill, known as the "No Patient Left Alone Act," establishes comprehensive rights for patients and residents in healthcare facilities to have a support person present during medical services. The bill defines a "support person" broadly, including individuals who meet physical, emotional, spiritual, or social needs of patients, and covers hospitals and non-acute care facilities like nursing homes. Facilities must allow at least one support person of the patient's choice to be present during healthcare services, with specific provisions for policies and procedures, including maximum access for support persons, accommodations for end-of-life situations, and provisions for pandemic-related visitation. The bill prohibits facilities from requiring patients to waive these rights or consent to additional conditions to have a support person present. Facilities can face a $500 per day civil penalty for knowingly violating the law, and they are protected from liability for allowing support person access. The bill also outlines exceptions where facilities can restrict support person access, such as in operating rooms, during emergency care, or if the support person poses a risk or has a transmissible infection. Importantly, these rights cannot be terminated or suspended, even during a gubernatorial emergency, ensuring consistent patient and resident support.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF2408&ssn=0&y=2025