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HF2363 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Long-term care facilities residents right to designated support person provided.

Related bill: SF2751

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this Minnesota legislative bill is to ensure the right of residents in long-term care and assisted living facilities to have a designated support person present with them. The bill aims to enhance patient and resident rights by allowing individuals to select someone to provide comfort during their stay in these facilities.

Main Provisions

  • Right to a Support Person: Health care facilities and assisted living facilities must allow each patient or resident to have at least one designated support person present while receiving health care services or residing in the facility.
  • Definition of Support Person: A designated support person can be anyone of the patient’s or resident’s choosing, such as a spouse, partner, family member, or someone related by affinity. The bill specifies that certified doulas and traditional midwives can be additional support and are not considered within the limit of one designated support person.
  • Facility Restrictions: Facilities may restrict or prohibit the presence of a support person if it is necessary for maintaining care standards or if the person acts violently or threateningly. However, any restrictions can be challenged through the facility's grievance procedure.
  • Exception: The provisions do not apply to patients or residents in state-operated treatment programs.

Significant Changes

The bill amends existing Minnesota Statutes, explicitly adding provisions for the presence of a designated support person in health and assisted living facilities. This inclusion formalizes the right and sets conditions under which support persons may be limited, supplementing existing patient and resident rights.

Relevant Terms

  • Designated support person
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Health care services
  • Patient rights
  • Resident comfort
  • Standard of care
  • Grievance procedure

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHuman Services Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new provision for a designated support person for patients, including details on support persons' roles and restrictions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "N/A"
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends the rights of patients in healthcare facilities under section 144.651 by modifying patient rights related to designated support persons.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies conditions under which a support person may be restricted or prohibited."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144.651"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification that state-operated treatment programs are excluded from these provisions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "N/A"
      ],
      "summary": "This bill references section 253B.02 in defining exclusions related to designated support person rules.",
      "modified": [
        "N/A"
      ]
    },
    "citation": "253B.02"
  }
]

Sponsors