The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Health Policy
BILL: SB 988
INTRODUCER: Senator Garcia and others
SUBJECT: Patient Visitation Rights
DATE: January 12, 2021
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Looke Brown HP Pre-meeting
2. AHS
3. AP
I. Summary:
SB 988 creates s. 408.823, F.S., to establish the “No Patient Left Alone Act.” The bill requires
providers
1
to allow clients admitted to their facilities to receive visitors in accordance with
Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) rules. If a provider must restrict visitation due
to health or safety concerns, the bill requires the provider to develop alternate visitation protocols
that allow visitation to the greatest extent possible under the circumstances.
The bill also specifies certain situations in which visitation must be allowed. Providers are
authorized to establish infection control protocols for visitors, including passing a health
screening and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), to which a visitor must adhere or
the provider is authorized to refuse the visitor access. Providers are required to submit their
visitation policies to the AHCA by January 1 of each year for approval.
The bill also requires the AHCA to dedicate a webpage to explaining visitation rights and to
provide a method for individuals to report violations of these rights to the AHCA. Providers must
also notify clients of their visitation rights and provide them with a link to the AHCA webpage.
The AHCA is required to investigate a report of a violation within 30 days after receiving the
report, and the bill specifies that violations of the section are Class III violations.
2
The bill also
requires the AHCA to impose a fine of at least $500 per violation and specifies that each
occurrence and each day of a continuing violation constitutes separate violations.
1
A “provider” is defined as any of the 25 activities, services, agencies, and facilities regulated by the AHCA and listed in s.
408.802, F.S.
2
Class III violations are defined in s. 408.813, F.S., as those conditions or occurrences related to the operation and
maintenance of a provider or to the care of clients which the agency determines indirectly or potentially threaten the physical
or emotional health, safety, or security of clients, other than class I or class II violations. The agency shall impose an
administrative fine as provided in this section for a cited class III violation. A citation for a class III violation must specify
the time within which the violation is required to be corrected. If a class III violation is corrected within the time specified, a
fine may not be imposed.
REVISED: BILL: SB 988 Page 2
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
General Timeline of the Emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The first signs of COVID-19 appeared in December of 2019 in the city of Wuhan, China, as a
pneumonia virus of unknown origin. By early January, 2020, Chinese authorities identified a
novel coronavirus as the cause of the outbreak. Shortly thereafter, the first cases of COVID-19—
officially named by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 11, 2020—were
detected in Japan and Thailand. On January 20, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the United States appearing in Washington
State. On January 31, 2020, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human services declared COVID-
19 a public health emergency and on March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a
pandemic.
3
Ten days prior, on March 1, 2020, Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees declared a public
health emergency.
4
The public health emergency was renewed multiple times and remained in
effect until it was allowed to expire on June 26, 2021.
5
Under the authority granted to the
Governor, the AHCA, and the Department of Health (DOH), as well as other executive agencies,
numerous emergency measures were put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect
the public health, including restricting visitation in certain health care and long term care
facilities.
Florida Visitation Restrictions during COVID-19
On March 15, 2020, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) issued emergency
order (EO) 20-006 which required every facility, as defined in the EO, in Florida to prohibit the
entry of any individual to the facility except in specified circumstances. For the purposes of the
EO, the term “facility” included:
Group Home Facilities;
Developmental Disabilities Centers;
Nursing Homes;
Homes for Special Services;
Long-Term Care Hospitals;
Transitional Living Facilities;
Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled;
Assisted Living Facilities (ALF);
3
See COVID-19 Timeline, David J. Spencer CDC Museum: In Association With the Smithsonian Institution, last reviewed
Jan. 5, 2022, available at https://www.cdc.gov/museum/timeline/covid19.html (last visited Jan. 7, 2022).
4
See Florida Department of Health Declaration of Public Health Emergency, March 1, 2020, available at
https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/declaration-of-public-health-emergency-covid-19-3.1.20.pdf,
(last visited Jan. 10, 2022).
5
The final renewal was issued on June 18, 2021, see Florida Department of Health Emergency Order (Extension), available
at https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Filed-PHE-Extension-June-18-2021.pdf, (last visited, Jan.
10, 2022). BILL: SB 988 Page 3
Adult Mental Health and Treatment Facilities;
Adult Forensic Facilities;
Civil Facilities; and
Adult Family-Care Homes.
The EO provided exceptions for allowing entry in the following circumstances:
Family members, friends, and visiting residents in end-of-life situations;
Hospice or palliative care workers caring for residents in end-of-life situations;
Any individuals providing necessary health care to a resident;
Facility staff;
Facility residents;
Attorneys of record for a resident in an Adult Mental Health and Treatment Facility for court
matters, if virtual or telephonic means were unavailable; and
Representatives of the federal or state governments seeking entry as part of their official
duties;
The EO also specified that the allowed individuals would remain prohibited from entering if:
They were infected with COVID-19 and had not had two consecutive negative tests
separated by 24 hours;
They were showing signs or symptoms of respiratory infection;
They had been in contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 in the past 14
days and had not tested negative for COVID-19;
They had traveled through any airport in the previous 14 days; or
They had traveled on a cruise ship in the previous 14 days.
The order was extended by EO 20-007 on May 18, 2020. On September 1, 2020, DEM issued
EO 20-009 which extended and modified the provisions of the previous two EOs by allowing
essential caregivers and compassionate care visitors under specified circumstances, and on
October 22, 2020, the DEM issued EO 20-011, which extended and modified the previous EOs
by adding general visitors under specified circumstances. Finally, on March 22, 2021, the DEM
issued EO 21-001, which rescinded the previous EOs prohibiting visitation and instead required
all affected facilities to maintain visitation and infection control policies in accordance with all
state and federal laws.
Current Status of Visitation in Florida
The availability and accessibility of visitation in Florida’s health care facilities varies widely
between facility type and from facility to facility, depending on each facility’s visitation policies.
Certain types of facilities, such as nursing homes
6
and hospitals,
7
must adhere to federal
6
Federal guidelines for nursing homes require that all facilities must allow indoor visitation and, although there is no limit on
the number of visitors a resident can have, all visits should be conducted in a manner that adheres to core principles of
COVID-19 infection prevention. See Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19
(revised), first published Sep. 17, 2020, last revised Dec. 11, 2021, available at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-
39-nh-revised.pdf (last visited Jan. 10, 2022).
7
Under the federal government’s phased approach to reopening (see https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/openingamerica/,
last visited Jan. 10, 2022) unrestricted hospital visitation has been available since entering phase 3. Additionally, except for BILL: SB 988 Page 4
guidelines for visitation, while other types, such as ALFs, are not federally regulated and operate
solely under a license issued by the state.
Many factors affect how a facility may go about allowing or restricting visitation. At a minimum,
a facility must follow the applicable laws and rules that govern its license type and, generally, a
facility may exceed those minimum standards. However, when it comes to allowing or
disallowing visitation, it is possible for a facility to become too restrictive. For example, the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights has investigated complaints
stemming from hospitals in Connecticut and Massachusetts where disabled patients were denied
the right to bring a caretaker with them into the hospital.
8
Overall, visitation policies will likely
vary from facility to facility, and each facility will likely approach creating its visitation policies
differently depending on what type of facility it is, the type of patients or residents the facility
has, the laws and rules that affect that type of facility, the mindset of the individuals who create
the policies for the facility, and many other factors.
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 988 creates s. 408.823, F.S., entitled the “No Patient Left Alone Act” (Act). The bill:
Provides Legislative findings and intent indicating that it is in the best interest of the state
and its residents that the patients and residents of health care facilities be allowed visitation
by visitors of their choosing during their hospitalization or residential treatment.
Requires that a provider allow clients to receive visitors during their admission in accordance
with AHCA rules.
o Current law in s. 408.803, F.S., defines a “provider” as any activity, service, agency, or
facility regulated by the AHCA and listed in s. 408.802, F.S. There are approximately
16,816 licensed entities that would qualify as a provider
9
and they include:
Laboratories authorized to perform testing under the Drug-Free Workplace Act, as
provided under ss. 112.0455 and 440.102, F.S.
Birth centers, as provided under ch. 383, F.S.
Abortion clinics, as provided under ch. 390, F.S.
Crisis stabilization units, as provided under parts I and IV of ch. 394, F.S.
Short-term residential treatment facilities, as provided under parts I and IV of ch. 394,
F.S.
Residential treatment facilities, as provided under part IV of ch. 394, F.S.
Residential treatment centers for children and adolescents, as provided under part IV
of ch. 394, F.S.
Hospitals, as provided under part I of ch. 395, F.S.
Ambulatory surgical centers, as provided under part I of ch. 395, F.S.
Long-Term Care Hospitals, Florida has not restricted visitation in hospitals. Currently, although visitation is not restricted,
many hospitals are using enhanced visitation protocols due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron
variant. See: Hospital visitation policies tightened in South Florida as COVID omicron variant spreads, South Florida Sun
Sentinel, Mary Lou Cruz, Jan. 5, 2022, available at https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-coronavirus-hospital-
rules-20210724-omq3lxv6pvbufedbvkgckn6a4u-story.html (last visited Jan. 10, 2022)
8
Hospital Visitor Bans Under Scrutiny After Disability Groups Raise Concerns Over Care, Joseph Shapiro, May 17, 2020,
available at https://www.npr.org/2020/05/17/857531789/federal-government-asked-to-tell-hospitals-modify-visit-bans, (last
visited Jan. 10, 2022).
9
AHCA bill analysis for SB 988, 11/24/2021, on file with Senate Health Policy Committee staff. BILL: SB 988 Page 5
Nursing homes, as provided under part II of ch. 400, F.S.
Assisted living facilities, as provided under part I of ch. 429, F.S.
Home health agencies, as provided under part III of ch. 400, F.S.
Nurse registries, as provided under part III of ch. 400, F.S.
Companion services or homemaker services providers, as provided under part III of
ch. 400, F.S.
Adult day care centers, as provided under part III of ch. 429, F.S.
Hospices, as provided under part IV of ch. 400, F.S.
Adult family-care homes, as provided under part II of ch. 429, F.S.
Homes for special services, as provided under part V of ch. 400, F.S.
Transitional living facilities, as provided under part XI of ch. 400, F.S.
Prescribed pediatric extended care centers, as provided under part VI of ch. 400, F.S.
Home medical equipment providers, as provided under part VII of ch. 400, F.S.
Intermediate care facilities for persons with developmental disabilities, as provided
under part VIII of ch. 400, F.S.
Health care services pools, as provided under part IX of ch. 400, F.S.
Health care clinics, as provided under part X of ch. 400, F.S.
Organ, tissue, and eye procurement organizations, as provided under part V of ch.
765, F.S.
o Current law in s. 408.803, F.S., defines a “client” as any person receiving services from a
provider.
Specifies that if circumstances require a provider to restrict public access to its facility due to
health or safety concerns, the provider must develop alternate visitation protocols that allow
visitation to the greatest extent possible while maintaining client health and safety.
Requires a provider to allow in-person visits under the following circumstances:
o End-of-life situations.
o A client who was living with his or her family before recently being admitted to the
provider’s facility is struggling with the change in environment and lack of physical
family support.
o A client is grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
o A client needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by
a family member or caregiver, and the client is experiencing weight loss or dehydration.
o A client who used to talk and interact with others is experiencing emotional distress, is
seldom speaking, or is crying more frequently than he or she did previously.
o Any other circumstance the AHCA deems appropriate.
Allows a provider to implement infection control protocols, including health screenings and
requiring that visitors wear PPE, and allows a provider to refuse visitation if a visitor fails the
health screening or does not comply with these requirements.
Requires each provider to submit its visitation policies to the AHCA by January 1 of each
year for approval. If the AHCA finds that a provider’s visitation policies are not in
compliance with the requirements of the Act or with AHCA rules, the provider must submit
an updated policy that conforms within 30 days after the AHCA’s notice.
Requires the AHCA to dedicate a webpage on its website to explain visitation rights
authorized under the Act and provide for a method for individuals to report violations of the
Act to the AHCA. BILL: SB 988 Page 6
Requires the AHCA to investigate all reports of violations within 30 days of receiving such
report.
Requires that providers notify clients and, if possible, their family members or caregivers of
their visitation rights under the Act and provide them with the contact information for the
AHCA and a link to the AHCA’s dedicated webpage.
Specifies that any violation of the Act or of the rules adopted pursuant to the Act is a class III
violation, as specified in s. 408.813, F.S., and, if not corrected, the AHCA must impose a fine
of at least $500 per violation.
Specifies that each day and occurrence of a violation constitutes a separate violation.
Requires the AHCA to adopt rules to implement the Act.
Provides an effective date of July 1, 2022.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
SB 988 may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on providers that are required
to establish new visitation protocols, potentially screen visitors or provide protective
equipment to visitors, notify clients and their family members or caregivers of their
visitation rights, or pay fines for noncompliance under the provisions of the bill or of
AHCA rules adopted pursuant to the bill. BILL: SB 988 Page 7
C. Government Sector Impact:
The AHCA has indicated that SB 988 will have the following fiscal impact:
The AHCA would need a total of 42 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and adequate
funding to accomplish the provisions of this bill. Typically, state licensure programs for
health facilities are funded by licensure fees.
It is estimated there will be approximately 16,816 licensed entities that serve clients as
defined in 408.803(6), F.S. Each of those facilities would be required to develop
alternative visitation policies and submit them by January 1 of each year. Violations of
the policies would be reported to the AHCA for investigation. Staff would be needed to
review and approve the policies, inspect providers for violations and handle legal actions
that result from violations.
Rules would need to be drafted to provide guidance on the alternative visitation policies
and over 16,800 policies will need to be reviewed and approved. The AHCA anticipates
that a dedicated unit would need to be created to handle the workload. The unit would
consist of one Health Services & Facilities Consultant Supervisor - SES to serve as the
manager, two Program Administrators to serve as supervisors, 14 Health Services &
Facilities Consultants to conduct the review of the policies and process recommended
sanctions for violations, and two Administrative Assistants to handle the administrative
and clerical duties for the unit.
Facilities’ General Counsel currently issues between 1,300 and 1,500 administrative
complaints each year. The potential additional legal cases surrounding visitation policies
alone, assuming 30 percent non-compliance rate across all provider types combined,
would double the number of administrative complaints that would need to be issued.
This would require six additional senior attorneys.
It is estimated there will be approximately 2,500 additional complaints a year related to
this legislation, based on the number and types of facilities impacted, as well as consumer
education via the AHCA website. If a single surveyor could do approximately 150
complaints a year, then 17 additional survey positions would be required. This takes into
account time for staff training, travel to and from facilities for survey, report writing, and
leave time. Based on the allocation of facilities throughout the state, 13 positions would
be Registered Nurse Specialists and four would be Health Facility Evaluators.
The bill directs that the AHCA dedicate a webpage on its website to explain visitation
rights and how to report any violations. It also directs providers to submit visitation
procedures annually to the AHCA for review. These will need to be electronically stored.
A system for submission, review, and tracking for revisions, and approval will need to be
developed. It is estimated this new system will cost $357,240.00 to develop and
implement.
BILL: SB 988 Page 8
VI. The estimated total fiscal impact for implementation of this bill is $3,254,940.00
for year one and $ 2,676,788.00 - for each recurring year.
10
Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
Lines 74-89 of SB 988 require all providers to allow in-person visitation based on specified
circumstances related to their clients’ well-being. As the terms “provider” and “client” are
defined in s. 408.803, F.S., this requirement to allow visitation may apply to many provider types
in which a visitation requirement does not make sense. For example, the term “provider”
includes certain clinical laboratories; home health agencies; nurse registries; health care service
pools; organ, tissue, and eye procurement organizations; and other types of providers who may
not directly service clients in their facilities and for whom a visitation requirement would be
difficult, if not impossible, to implement. It is unclear how this requirement would apply to such
providers. It may be advisable to narrow the types of providers to whom the bill applies, or to
clarify how the provisions of the bill apply to the types of providers listed above.
Lines 90-96 of SB 988 allow providers to implement infection control protocols for visitors to
ensure the health and safety of its clients, but the bill limits such protocols to passing a health
screening and wearing PPE. It is possible that the allowable infection control protocols may not
be sufficient in certain extreme situations. It may be advisable to allow for some flexibility in the
types of infection control protocols that are allowable under the bill.
Lines 97-102 of SB 988 require each provider to submit its visitation policies to the AHCA for
approval. Lines 69-73 of the bill refer to a provider developing “alternate visitation protocols”
and lines 90-96 of the bill refer to a provider’s “infection control protocols.” As these protocols
may be developed in emergency situations, it is unclear whether these protocols would be
required to be submitted to, and approved by, the AHCA. It may be advisable to clarify what
protocols and policies must be submitted for approval.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates section 408.823 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
10
Supra n. 9. BILL: SB 988 Page 9
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.