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 976 Original 2024 Regular Session Owen
Abstract: Amends certain provisions relative to the "No Patient Left Alone Law" and allows the
designation of an essential caregiver.
Proposed law changes present law short title from the "No Patient Left Alone Law" to the "Don
Scoggins Law".
Present 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) at the initial licensure survey.
Proposed law removes present law provision.
Proposed law further requires a facility, as provided in present law, to allow in-person visitation by
the designated essential caregiver daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by the facility.
Present law requires a facility to make its visitation policies and procedures available for review by
LDH at any time upon request after licensure.
Proposed law removes present law provision.
Proposed law further 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 does not require a designated essential caregiver to provide advance notice of the
intent to visit the patient. Proposed law also does not require the designated essential caregiver to
provide necessary care to a resident, client, or patient of a facility, and a facility providing such care
shall not require a designated essential caregiver to provide such care.
Present law provides that within 24 hours after establishing the policies and procedures required by
present law, the facility shall make its policies and procedures easily accessible from the homepage
of its website.
Proposed law removes present law provision.
Proposed law further requires the visitation provisions of proposed law to allow in-person visitation
unless otherwise restricted by law or by order of the court. Present law requires LDH to dedicate a stand-alone page on its website to explain the visitation
requirements of present law and provide a link to LDH's webpage to report complaints.
Proposed law removes present law provision.
Proposed law further provides that policies and procedures may require a visitor to agree in writing
to follow the facility's policies and procedures, and a facility may suspend in-person visitation for
a specific visitor if the visitor violates the facility's policies and procedures.
Proposed law requires access to a religious or spiritual support person to be included in addition to
the designated essential caregiver and in accordance with present law.
(Amends the heading of Part VI of Chapter 5-G of Title 40 and R.S. 40:1300.51 and 1300.55)