Senate Bill 417 aims to establish visitation rights for residents of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and hospital patients during outbreaks of communicable diseases. The bill mandates that these facilities must allow at least one member of the clergy and, in compassionate care situations, one essential visitor to visit residents or patients when visitation is limited due to an outbreak. An essential visitor is defined as a guardian or an individual designated by the resident or patient to provide support. The bill also outlines specific circumstances under which visitation must be allowed, such as when a resident is grieving or nearing the end of life, and it provides conditions under which visitation can be denied, including non-compliance with health policies or if the resident does not wish to receive visitors.

Additionally, the bill creates provisions for hospitals, requiring them to allow similar visitation rights for patients under comparable circumstances. It includes definitions for essential visitors and clergy, and it allows hospitals to deny visitation based on health and safety policies. The bill also grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to healthcare professionals and facilities for actions taken in compliance with the visitation requirements. Furthermore, individuals can file complaints with the Department of Health Services if facilities fail to comply with the new regulations.