Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to ensure that residents of long-term care facilities in Minnesota have the right to be accompanied by a designated support person for comfort and assistance. This measure seeks to amend current statutes to formalize the presence of support persons in both health care and assisted living settings.

Main Provisions

• Right to a Support Person: The bill mandates that health care facilities and assisted living facilities must allow each patient or resident to have at least one designated support person. This person can be chosen by the patient or resident to provide comfort and support.

• Definition of Designated Support Person: A designated support person can include the patient's or resident's spouse, partner, family member, or another person they are close to, such as someone related by affinity. The bill specifies that certified doulas and traditional midwives are not counted within the limit of one designated support person.

• Restrictions on Support Person Presence: A facility can restrict or prohibit a support person from being present if it is necessary to meet medical care standards or if the support person behaves violently or threatens others. Any decision to restrict must follow the facility's internal grievance procedures.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends existing Minnesota statutes to explicitly grant patients and residents in health and assisted living facilities the right to have a designated support person.
• It formalizes the conditions under which facilities can limit or prohibit such support, ensuring protections for both patients and facility operations.

Relevant Terms

designated support person, long-term care facilities, health care facilities, assisted living facilities, grievance procedure, doulas, midwives, standard of care, spouse, partner, family member, affinity.