The enactment of HB 0133 represents a significant amendment to existing laws governing health care facilities, emphasizing patient accessibility to visitors. It aims to ensure that visitation policies are transparent and communicated effectively to patients and their families. Notably, the bill also prevents health care facilities from imposing more stringent visitation requirements on visitors than those applied to staff, which could empower patients and their personal representatives in managing visitation issues. Overall, the bill is intended to enhance patient experience during care by ensuring that they maintain relationships with visitors when medically feasible.
Summary
House Bill 0133, titled 'Health Care Facility Visitation Amendments,' establishes new requirements for health care facilities in Utah regarding patient visitation rights. The bill mandates that health care facilities must allow patients to see visitors under certain conditions and requires them to establish and publish visitation policies. These policies must include provisions for infection control and designate maximum durations and numbers of visitors a patient can have. Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with publishing visitation requirements on its website and providing a mechanism for reporting violations of these policies.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 0133 seems largely supportive, with many legislators recognizing the importance of allowing patients to maintain connections with their loved ones during hospital stays, particularly following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, concerns were raised regarding how facilities would implement these policies, particularly in settings where infection control is crucial. Legislators recognize the balance needed between patient rights and necessary health precautions, indicating a general consensus on the bill while acknowledging the complexity of its implementation.
Contention
Despite the supportive sentiment, some points of contention regarding HB 0133 involve the delineation of visitation policies, particularly for patients undergoing certain medical procedures or where visitation may disrupt care. Critics argue that without proper oversight, the bill could lead to inconsistencies in how visitation is handled across different facilities. The legislation also specifically excludes the Utah State Hospital from its provisions, raising questions about access for patients in state facilities. These debates indicate a recognition of the need for careful consideration in public health regulation concerning patient rights.
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 who are not essential caregivers; 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 provide certain immunity from liability in certain circumstances; to exempt certain psychiatric care facilities from the provisions of this bill; and to repeal Sections 22-21-430 through 22-21-436, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to hospital visitation during a public health emergency.
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.
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 who are not essential caregivers; 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 provide certain immunity from liability in certain circumstances; and to repeal Sections 22-21-430 through 22-21-436, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to hospital visitation during a public health emergency.
Establishes "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act"; requires certain facilities to establish policies guaranteeing visitation rights for facility residents.
Establishes "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act"; requires certain facilities to establish policies guaranteeing visitation rights for facility residents.
Enacting the no patient left alone act to require facilities to allow in-person visitation to certain patients at hospitals, adult care home and patient care facilities.