Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2161

Introduced
1/24/23  
Refer
1/24/23  

Caption

Enacting the patient right to visitation act to require patient care facilities to adopt visitation rules to allow certain relatives and other persons, including clergy, to visit terminally ill patients and other patients making major medical decisions.

Impact

If enacted, HB2161 would necessitate that healthcare facilities adopt visitation policies aligned with the Act’s requirements. These policies must allow for unrestricted visitation for patients who fall into specific categories—such as those receiving end-of-life care or making significant medical decisions—unless the patient objects. Additionally, the bill stipulates that facilities can implement visitation protocols that remain consistent with ensuring the health and safety of patients and visitors, thereby balancing patient rights with infection control considerations.

Summary

House Bill 2161, known as the Patient Right to Visitation Act, aims to establish rules that ensure patients in healthcare facilities such as hospitals and adult care homes can receive in-person visits from certain individuals during critical times. The bill specifically recognizes the importance of emotional, social, and psychological support for patients, allowing immediate family members, essential caregivers, and religious representatives to visit patients under certain circumstances. This act responds to the significant need for patient support, particularly for those who are terminally ill or facing major medical decisions.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HB2161 may reflect concerns regarding the balance between patient rights and facility regulations. While supporters assert that unrestricted visitation is crucial for the mental and emotional well-being of patients, some may argue that it could complicate infection control measures, particularly in sensitive healthcare environments. There may be debates regarding the practicality of enforcing the visitation guidelines and the specific criteria for denying visits, which could also lead to various interpretations and applications by different facilities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB352

Enacting the no patient left alone act to require facilities to allow in-person visitation to certain patients at hospitals, adult care home and patient care facilities.

KS HB2548

Enacting the no patient left alone act to require facilities to allow in-person visitation to certain patients at hospitals, adult care homes and hospice facilities.

KS HB2116

Creates provisions relating to visitation rights of patients

KS HB758

No Patient Left Alone Act; create to provide certain visitation rights for hospital patients.

KS SB308

Establish patient visitation rights

KS AB257

Patients' and residents' rights to visitors in a health care facility, restricting visitation, and liability for the actions of visitors.

KS SB257

Patients' and residents' rights to visitors in a health care facility, restricting visitation, and liability for the actions of visitors.

KS SB2

Relating to health care facilities; to add Section 22-21-437 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to require health care facilities to adopt certain visitation policies; to provide that patients have a right to certain visitation; to allow patients to designate an essential caregiver and to guarantee that caregiver certain visitation rights; to prohibit a health care facility from adopting a visitation policy that is more stringent than certain employee policies; to prohibit a health care facility from requiring visitors to show proof of vaccination or from prohibiting consensual physical contact between visitors and patients; to provide for the circumstances in which patients may not be denied visitors; to require health care facilities to provide visitation policies to the Department of Public Health; to require the Department of Public Health to develop a mechanism for complaints; to prohibit any suspension or modification by emergency rule or order; and to repeal Sections 22-21-430 through 22-21-436, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to hospital visitation during a public health emergency.

KS HB3

Relating to health care facilities; to add Section 22-21-437 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to require health care facilities to adopt certain visitation policies; to provide that patients have a right to certain visitation; to allow patients to designate an essential caregiver and to guarantee that caregiver certain visitation rights; to prohibit a health care facility from adopting a visitation policy that is more stringent than certain employee policies; to prohibit a health care facility from requiring visitors to show proof of vaccination or from prohibiting consensual physical contact between visitors and patients; to provide for the circumstances in which patients may not be denied visitors; to require health care facilities to provide visitation policies to the Department of Public Health; to require the Department of Public Health to develop a mechanism for complaints; to prohibit any suspension or modification by emergency rule or order; and to repeal Sections 22-21-430 through 22-21-436, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to hospital visitation during a public health emergency.

KS SB113

Relating to health care facilities; to add Section 22-21-437 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to require health care facilities to adopt certain visitation policies; to provide that patients have a right to certain visitation; to allow patients to designate an essential caregiver and to guarantee that caregiver certain visitation rights; to prohibit a health care facility from adopting a visitation policy that is more stringent than certain employee policies; to prohibit a health care facility from requiring visitors to show proof of vaccination or from prohibiting consensual physical contact between visitors and patients; to provide for the circumstances in which patients may not be denied visitors who are not essential caregivers; to require health care facilities to provide visitation policies to the Department of Public Health; to require the Department of Public Health to develop a mechanism for complaints; to provide certain immunity from liability in certain circumstances; to exempt certain psychiatric care facilities from the provisions of this bill; and to repeal Sections 22-21-430 through 22-21-436, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to hospital visitation during a public health emergency.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.