The bill amends the Kansas Lay Caregiver Act, requiring the Department of Health and Environment to audit hospitals for compliance with the act and report the findings to the legislature annually starting in 2026. It defines key terms such as "aftercare," "caregiver," "discharge," and "patient," and outlines the responsibilities of hospitals in relation to caregivers. Hospitals must provide patients or their legal guardians the opportunity to designate a caregiver upon admission and notify them of the patient's discharge or transfer. The bill clarifies that caregivers do not have the authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of patients and does not create a private right of action against hospitals or caregivers.

Additionally, the bill repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 65-431a, streamlining the legal framework surrounding caregiver designation and hospital responsibilities. It emphasizes that hospitals must educate caregivers on aftercare needs and provide discharge instructions, while also ensuring that the lack of contact with a designated caregiver does not impede patient care. The overall aim of the bill is to enhance the support provided to patients through their designated caregivers while ensuring compliance and accountability within healthcare facilities.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 65-431a