Should this bill pass, health care facilities will be limited in setting health and safety policies to protect patients, visitors, and staff.
We have just experienced record deaths in our state and new COVID-19 variants have been discovered. Health care facilities must be able to set safety protocols to protect patients, staff, and visitors. We understand the pain of losing a loved one who has been alone in a health care facility, however, with quick spreading variants coming into view, we must remain vigilant. Those with elderly patients or residents have a particular need and responsibility to be able to keep facilities safe. Please contact your own state representative and speak in opposition to this bill. The co-sponsors of the bill may be contacted at the following email addresses: ed.setzler@house.ga.gov, mark.newton@house.ga.gov, matt.hatchett@house.ga.gov, bonnie.rich@house.ga.gov, mack.jackson@house.ga.gov, patty.bentley@house.ga.gov
As shown on the state legislative website.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of hospitals and related institutions, so as to prohibit hospitals and nursing homes from instituting any policy during a declared public health emergency that limits patients’ abilities to be visited by designated family members or friends as a condition precedent to obtaining or maintaining a permit to operate a hospital or nursing home; to provide for reasonable safety precautions; to provide for limited liability; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59302
HB290 The Right to Visit Act
