Hospitals and institutions for the aged or infirm; prohibit policies, subject to safety requirements, limiting visitation.
Impact
Once enacted, HB 837 will amend existing regulations within the Mississippi Code, specifically adding new sections that protect patient visitation rights. Hospitals and institutions must comply with these regulations as a condition for obtaining or renewing their operating licenses. The act will also allow institutions to enforce reasonable safety protocols that do not hinder the ability of family members and friends to visit, thus balancing patient safety and emotional support.
Summary
House Bill 837, known as the 'Hospital Right to Visit Act,' aims to enhance patient visitation rights in Mississippi hospitals and institutions for the aged or infirm. The bill prohibits hospitals from issuing or renewing licenses if they maintain policies that limit visitation for patients hospitalized beyond 24 hours. This legislation is pertinent during situations including public health emergencies, ensuring that designated family members or friends can visit patients without unreasonable restrictions, promoting emotional well-being and family support during lengthy treatments.
Contention
There may be contention surrounding HB 837 related to the balance between visitation rights and safety concerns, especially in the context of public health emergencies. While support for the bill is likely centered on the importance of family support in healthcare, critics may raise concerns about the potential for increased risks in infection control and patient safety protocols if visitation is not carefully managed. Additionally, the bill grants hospitals immunity from liability for compliance, which may raise questions about accountability if safety issues arise.
Hospitals; creating the No Patient Left Alone Act; providing for certain visitation rights, policies and safety protocols; prohibiting certain termination, suspension or waiver of visitation rights; prohibiting certain action against hospital; effective date.
Provides for visitation policies at certain healthcare facilities and requires that such policies allow for in-person visitation (EN NO IMPACT See Note)
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.
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.