SB 229

Bill Subjects

Health, State Department And Agencies Hospitals And Medical Facilities Nursing Homes

Abstract

Establishes essential family caregiver status. Requires each health facility and residential care facility (facility) to permit visitation by an essential family caregiver (caregiver) despite restricted visitation during compassionate care situations. Specifies certain eligibility requirements for caregiver status. Allows the administrator of a facility or the administrator's designee, as applicable, to determine whether or not to award caregiver status to a selected individual. Requires consideration of specified conditions when a request for caregiver status is being evaluated. Requires a resident to request or approve of any awarded caregiver designation. Allows a resident to revoke caregiver status from an individual at any time. Requires particularized rules applicable to a caregiver to be communicated to the caregiver by the applicable facility. Requires certain policies concerning caregiver status to be memorialized in writing. Entitles each resident of a facility to at least one caregiver. Directs the state department of health (state department) to adopt rules concerning the enforcement of visitation by caregivers. Specifies that a facility has the burden of proof when justifying a denial of visitation to a caregiver. Provides that a facility is immune from civil liability for any act or omission related to the implementation of a procedure or policy concerning visitation by a caregiver in certain instances. Specifies an exception. Defines certain terms.