DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 291 Original 2023 Regular Session Charles Owen
Abstract: Creates the "No Patient Left Alone Law" and establishes minimum requirements for in-
person visits at certain healthcare facilities.
Proposed law shall be known and may be cited as the "No Patient Left Alone Law".
Proposed law applies to all of the following facilities:
(1)Licensed centers that provide care for persons with developmental disabilities as defined in
present law.
(2)Hospitals as defined in present law.
(3)Licensed facilities that provide hospice care as defined in present law.
(4)Nursing homes as defined in present law.
Proposed law requires the facilities identified in proposed law to develop policies and procedures
to allow in-person visitation for residents, clients, and patients. Proposed law further provides that
such policies and procedures shall not be any more restrictive than the provisions set forth in
proposed law.
The provisions required by proposed law may include any of the following precautionary policies
and procedures before visitation:
(1)Review of infection control, handwashing, and education policies for visitors.
(2)Requirements for temperature screening.
(3) Review of health and safety procedures required by the facility.
(4) Any other infection control protocols.
Proposed law provides that safety-related policies and procedures may not be more stringent than
those established for the facility's staff and may not require visitors to submit proof of any
vaccination or immunization. Proposed law further provides that policies and procedures shall allow consensual physical contact
between a resident, client, or patient and his visitor.
The visits required by proposed law shall be permissible, both in duration of the visitation and the
number of visitors, and meet the standards provided in proposed law, as applicable.
Proposed law provides that an employee of the facility shall be designated as the responsible party
for ensuring that the visitor adheres to the policies and procedures.
Proposed law allows a resident, client, or patient to designate at least one visitor who is a family
member, friend, guardian, or other individual as a designated essential caregiver. Proposed law
further establishes provisions for such designated essential caregivers.
Proposed law requires a facility to allow in-person visitation unless otherwise restricted by law or
by order of the court.
Proposed law provides that policies and procedures established by a facility may require a visitor to
agree in writing to follow its policies and procedures. Proposed law further provides that the facility
may suspend in-person visitation of a specific visitor if the visitor violates such policies and
procedures.
Proposed law provides that access to a religious or spiritual support person shall be included in
addition to the designated essential caregiver.
Proposed law requires a facility to submit a written copy of its visitation policies and procedures to
the Health Standards Section of the La. Dept. of Health (LDH) when applying for initial licensure,
licensure renewal, or change of ownership. Proposed law further requires such visitation policies
and procedures to be made available for review by LDH at any time, upon request.
Proposed law requires that a facility shall make its policies and procedures easily accessible from
the homepage of its website within 24 hours after establishing the policies and procedures required
by proposed law.
Proposed law requires LDH to dedicate a stand-alone page on its website to explain the visitation
requirements set forth in proposed law and provide a link to the facility's webpage to report
complaints.
(Adds R.S. 40:1300.51-1300.55)