New Jersey Senate Bill S915

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Authorizes hospital patient with developmental disabilities to have designated family member, guardian, direct support professional, or other caregiver accompany patient throughout hospital stay.

Impact

If enacted, S915 would amend current New Jersey laws related to hospital admissions and patient rights, specifically to include provisions for individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill mandates that hospitals provide an opportunity for patients or their guardians to designate a caregiver, and it stipulates that this person can accompany the patient throughout the hospital stay, except in certain medical scenarios involving surgical procedures. This change aims to support inclusivity and acknowledge the specific needs of patients with developmental disabilities, which are often overlooked in standard hospital policies.

Summary

Senate Bill S915 seeks to enhance the rights of hospital patients with developmental disabilities by ensuring that they can be accompanied by a designated family member, guardian, direct support professional, or another caregiver during their hospital stay. This legislation recognizes the importance of having familiar support for individuals with developmental disabilities, which can ease the stress of hospitalization and contribute to better health outcomes. The bill outlines specific provisions regarding the designation of caregivers who can accompany patients, emphasizing the need for hospitals to facilitate this process upon admission.

Contention

While supporters of the bill advocate for the empowerment of patients with developmental disabilities and their families, there may be concerns regarding the practical implementation of such policies in hospitals. Questions could arise about how hospitals manage caregiver designations, especially in emergency situations, and whether there are adequate resources and training for staff to accommodate these new requirements. Furthermore, the bill does not impose an obligation on designated caregivers to provide personal care, which may lead to uncertainty regarding the roles and responsibilities of caregivers during a patient's hospital stay.