88R231 SRA-D
By: Toth H.B. No. 189
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to in-person visitation with hospital patients during
certain periods of disaster.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 241.012(c), (g), and (i), Health and
Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a hospital may during a
qualifying period of disaster:
(1) restrict the number of visitors a patient
receiving care or treatment at the hospital may receive at any one
time to not fewer than one;
(2) require a visitor to the hospital to:
(A) complete a health screening before entering
the hospital; and
(B) wear personal protective equipment at all
times while visiting a patient at the hospital; and
(3) deny entry to or remove from the hospital's
premises a visitor who fails or refuses to:
(A) submit to or meet the requirements of a
health screening administered by the hospital; or
(B) wear personal protective equipment that
meets the hospital's infection control and safety requirements in
the manner prescribed by the hospital.
(g) A determination made by an attending physician under
Subsection (f)(2) must be in writing and is valid for not more than
48 hours [five days] after [the date] the determination is made
unless renewed by an attending physician. A renewal of the
determination must be in writing, is valid for not more than 48
hours after the renewal is made, and may be renewed in the same
manner as the initial determination.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
hospital may not prohibit in-person visitation by a religious
counselor of the patient's choosing with a patient who is receiving
care or treatment at the hospital [and who is seriously ill or
dying] for a reason other than the religious counselor's failure to
comply with a requirement described by Subsection (c)(2).
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.