1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to health; providing residents of long-term care facilities with the right to
1.3 a designated support person; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 144.651,
1.4 subdivision 10a; 144G.91, by adding a subdivision.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.651, subdivision 10a, is amended to read:
1.7 Subd. 10a.Designated support person for pregnant patient or other patient.(a)
1.8Subject to paragraph (c), a health care provider and a health care facility must allow, at a
1.9minimum, one designated support person chosen by a patient, including but not limited to
1.10a pregnant patient, to be physically present while the patient is receiving health care services
1.11including during a hospital stay. Subject to paragraph (c), a facility must allow, at a minimum,
1.12one designated support person chosen by the resident to be physically present with the
1.13resident while the resident is at the facility.
1.14 (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "designated support person" means any person
1.15chosen by the patient or resident to provide comfort to the patient or resident, including but
1.16not limited to the patient's or resident's spouse, partner, family member, or another person
1.17related by affinity. Certified doulas and traditional midwives may not be counted toward
1.18the limit of one designated support person.
1.19 (c) A facility may restrict or prohibit the presence of a designated support person in
1.20treatment rooms, procedure rooms, and operating rooms when such a restriction or prohibition
1.21is strictly necessary to meet the appropriate standard of care. A facility may also restrict or
1.22prohibit the presence of a designated support person if the designated support person is
1.23acting in a violent or threatening manner toward others. Any restriction or prohibition of a
1Section 1.
REVISOR SGS/HL 25-0360302/18/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 2363
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Zeleznikar, Gillman, Davis, Warwas, Knudsen and others03/13/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services Finance and Policy 2.1designated support person by the facility is subject to the facility's written internal grievance
2.2procedure required by subdivision 20.
2.3 (d) This subdivision does not apply to a patient or resident at a state-operated treatment
2.4program, as defined in section 253B.02, subdivision 18d.
2.5 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144G.91, is amended by adding a subdivision to
2.6read:
2.7 Subd. 6a.Designated support person.(a) Subject to paragraph (c), an assisted living
2.8facility must allow, at a minimum, one designated support person chosen by the resident to
2.9be physically present with the resident while the resident is at the facility.
2.10 (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "designated support person" means any person
2.11chosen by the resident to provide comfort to the resident, including but not limited to the
2.12resident's spouse, partner, family member, or another person related by affinity.
2.13 (c) A facility may restrict or prohibit the presence of a designated support person when
2.14the restriction or prohibition is strictly necessary to meet the appropriate standard of care
2.15or when the designated support person is acting in a violent or threatening manner toward
2.16others. If the facility restricts or prohibits a resident's designated support person from being
2.17present, the resident may file a complaint or inquiry with the facility according to subdivision
2.1820.
2Sec. 2.
REVISOR SGS/HL 25-0360302/18/25