The bill would add Chapter 260B to the Health and Safety Code and amend Chapter 555 of the Health and Safety Code to allow for residents of nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and state supported living centers to designate at least one essential caregiver that the facility or center may not prohibit in-person visitation with. The bill would require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to develop guidelines to assist nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and state supported living centers in establishing essential caregiver visitation policies and procedures. The bill would require the executive commissioner of HHSC to establish the guidelines as soon as practicable after the effective date of the bill. The bill would take effect September 1, 2021.
Based on the Legislative Budget Board's analysis of HHSC, it is assumed that the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within current resources.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.