South Dakota 2023 Regular Session

South Dakota House Bill HB1216

Introduced
2/1/23  

Caption

Establish and revise requirements related to visitation policies and procedures for certain facilities.

Impact

The bill specifically emphasizes the right of residents to receive visitors and addresses infection control measures that must be implemented to safeguard residents and visitors. The policies that facilities must adopt include provisions for screening and personal protective equipment, visiting hours, and the number of guests allowed. Moreover, the bill incorporates guidelines for compassionate care visits for residents who meet specific criteria, such as being at the end of life or experiencing significant emotional distress.

Summary

House Bill 1216, introduced by Representative Overweg, aims to establish and revise visitation policies and procedures for various healthcare facilities, including intermediate care facilities, residential hospice facilities, and assisted living facilities. The bill mandates these facilities to allow visitation of residents to the fullest extent permitted under applicable regulations from the CDC, CMS, or any federal law but prohibits requiring vaccination proof as a condition for visitation. This aims to ensure that residents can maintain connections with their loved ones while balancing safety protocols.

Contention

Despite its positive intentions, the bill has raised some concerns among certain advocacy groups. Critics argue that while addressing visitation rights is crucial, the language of the bill may lack clarity on enforcement and provide insufficient guarantees for resident safety during infectious outbreaks. Another point of contention is the balance between maintaining safety protocols and ensuring residents' rights to family support, especially in times of crisis.

Additional_info

The bill also requires facilities to develop alternative visitation policies in case federal guidelines restrict visitations. These policies need to be evaluated every thirty days, providing transparency and encouraging feedback from residents and their families. This provision is meant to ensure that any limitations are justified and communicated effectively to all parties involved.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

SD HB2160

In-person visitation; policies and procedures at certain facilities.

SD SB1297

In-person visitation; policies and procedures at certain facilities, definition of "facility."

SD S678

Establishes "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act"; requires certain facilities to establish policies guaranteeing visitation rights for facility residents.

SD S2520

Establishes "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act"; requires certain facilities to establish policies guaranteeing visitation rights for facility residents.

SD HB291

Provides for visitation policies at certain healthcare facilities and requires that such policies allow for in-person visitation (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

SD HB1199

Visitation Requirements Health-care Facilities

SD HB976

Provides relative to visitation policies at certain healthcare facilities and requires such facilities to allow in-person visitation

SD HB306

Provides for visitation policies at certain healthcare facilities and requires that such policies allow for in-person visitation

SD A358

Establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

SD A3194

Establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

Similar Bills

IL SB1497

NURSING HOMES-RESIDENT CONSENT

LA HB43

Provides for administrative rules relative to visitation of nursing home and assisted living facility residents during a public health emergency (Item #59)

SC S0154

Ryan Lovett, Greenwood Fire Department

SC S0146

Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities

NJ A4317

Requires residential psychiatric and long-term care facilities to provide certain financial information to facility residents and other individuals.

NJ A3644

Requires residential psychiatric and long-term care facilities to provide certain financial information to facility residents and other individuals.

NJ S2319

Requires residential psychiatric and long-term care facilities to provide certain financial information to facility residents and other individuals.

NJ S1306

Requires residential psychiatric and long-term care facilities to provide certain financial information to facility residents and other individuals.