The bill amends the Louisiana Revised Statutes to rename the "No Patient Left Alone Law" to the "Don Scoggins Law" and introduces new provisions regarding visitation policies at certain healthcare facilities. It mandates that these facilities designate an essential caregiver for each patient, allowing for daily in-person visitation by this caregiver in addition to any other visitation rights. The bill also specifies that the essential caregiver does not need to provide advance notice for visits and cannot be required to provide care to the patient.

Additionally, the bill repeals previous requirements for the publication of visitation policies and procedures, instead requiring that these policies include a written agreement from the designated essential caregiver to adhere to them. It allows for the suspension of visitation rights if the caregiver violates the facility's policies. Furthermore, the bill ensures that access to a religious or spiritual support person is included alongside the essential caregiver provisions.

Statutes affected:
HB976 Original:
HB976 Engrossed:
HB976 Enrolled:
HB976 Act 666: