Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The Tennessee Senate passed a bill that would prohibit hospitals from restricting in-person visitation of patients for a second time on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 1641 (SB1641), sponsored by Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17), would guarantee that someone with Power of Attorney over a patient has the right to visit at least once a day for at least an hour for the entirety of the patient’s stay.
The legislation originally passed the Senate on February 12th.
The companion House Bill 1883 (HB1883), sponsored by Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown-District 71) was passed on April 8. An amendment on the bill required that it be returned to the Senate for another vote.
The amendment states that the visitation right “must not be terminated, suspended, waived, or otherwise limited upon the declaration of a disaster or emergency by the governor or the governor’s designee, or by another individual or entity acting on behalf of this state or a political subdivision of this state.”
When speaking of the House amendment on April 10th, Senator Pody stated that, in addition, the amendment specifies that a patient has the right to refuse visitation if they so choose.
The Senate voted to concur with House Amendment 0690 (HA0690) with a vote of 27 in favor and 3 against.
Along with Pody’s bill, another piece of legislation signed by Governor Bill Lee prevents individuals from being left alone to die in a medical facility.
According to Governor Lee’s law, medical facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes, can no longer restrict patients from having one family member or representative present.
These two pieces of legislation are an attempt to protect patients’ rights.
