Bill > HB2275

This bill, known as the "Compassionate Care Visitation Act" or "No Patient Left Alone Act", establishes new requirements for health care facilities (including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and hospice facilities) regarding patient visitation rights. The bill mandates that facilities allow at least two compassionate care visitors (defined as friends, family members, or other persons requested by the patient) to have in-person contact for at least six hours daily, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Visitors can be present for various purposes, such as providing end-of-life support, emotional assistance, communication help, and social support. The bill requires facilities to have a visitation policy allowing 24-hour attendance when appropriate, permitting visitors to leave and return, and ensuring parents or guardians can be present with minor children. Facilities may place some limited restrictions on visitors, such as controlling numbers based on space, preventing access during emergency care, or blocking visitors with transmissible infections or those deemed potentially dangerous. If a facility violates these provisions, it can be fined $1,000 per day, with investigations to be initiated within 36 hours of a complaint. The bill also provides immunity for facilities complying with the act and requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to develop informational materials about the new visitation rights by January 1, 2023.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2275&year=2026&code=R