Bill Text: MS SB2417 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: "No Patient Left Alone Act; enact.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - Died In Committee [SB2417 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2022-SB2417-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare
By: Senator(s) McDaniel
Senate Bill 2417
AN ACT CREATING THE "NO PATIENT LEFT ALONE ACT"; PROVIDING FOR MINOR AND ADULT PATIENTS TO DESIGNATE A VISITOR WITH UNRESTRICTED VISITATION; PROHIBITING TERMINATION, SUSPENSION OR WAIVER OF VISITATION RIGHTS BY CERTAIN PARTIES; PROVIDING CERTAIN LIMITATIONS; PROHIBITING HOSPITALS FROM REQUIRING PATIENT WAIVER OF CERTAIN RIGHTS; REQUIRING POSTING OF CERTAIN INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, each minor who is admitted to a hospital licensed pursuant to Section 41-9-7 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, has the right to have a parent, guardian or person standing in loco parentis who shall have the unrestricted privilege of being present while the minor patient is receiving hospital care.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, each adult who is admitted to a hospital licensed pursuant to Section 41-9-7 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, has the right to designate a spouse, family member or friend who shall have the unrestricted privilege of being present while the adult patient is receiving hospital care.
(3) The rights specified in this section may not be terminated, suspended, or waived by the hospital, the State Department of Health, or any governmental entity, notwithstanding declarations of emergency declared by the Governor.
(4) Hospitals may require visitors to wear personal protective equipment, provided that any such required equipment shall be provided by the hospital. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a hospital to allow a visitor to enter an operating room or other typically restricted area or to remain present during the administration of emergency care in critical situations.
(5) No hospital licensed pursuant to Section 41-9-7 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, shall require a patient to waive the rights specified in this section.
(6) Each hospital licensed pursuant to Section 41-9-7 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, shall post in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises informational materials developed by the State Department of Health explaining the rights specified in this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.
