87R2070 SRA-D
 
  By: Hernandez H.B. No. 2897
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the right of certain facility residents to designate an
  essential caregiver for in-person visitation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 4, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 260B to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 260B. RIGHT TO ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER VISITS FOR CERTAIN
  FACILITY RESIDENTS
         Sec. 260B.0001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Essential caregiver" means a family member,
  friend, or other individual selected by a facility resident for
  in-person visits.
               (2)  "Executive commissioner" means the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
               (3)  "Facility" means:
                     (A)  a nursing facility licensed under Chapter
  242; or
                     (B)  an assisted living facility licensed under
  Chapter 247.
               (4)  "Resident" means an individual, including a
  patient, who resides in a facility.
         Sec. 260B.0002.  RESIDENT'S RIGHT TO ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER
  VISITS.  (a)  A facility resident has the right to designate at
  least one essential caregiver with whom the facility may not
  prohibit in-person visitation.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the executive
  commissioner by rule shall develop guidelines to assist facilities
  in establishing essential caregiver visitation policies and
  procedures. The guidelines must require the facilities to:
               (1)  allow residents to designate for in-person
  visitation at least one essential caregiver, and more than one if
  needed;
               (2)  establish a visitation schedule allowing the
  essential caregiver to visit the resident for the greater of two
  hours each day or the hours necessary for the caregiver to complete
  all caregiving tasks;
               (3)  establish procedures to enable personal contact
  between the resident and essential caregiver while requiring social
  distancing between the caregiver and facility staff;
               (4)  obtain a signed acknowledgment from the essential
  caregiver in which the caregiver agrees to follow the facility's
  safety protocols, including:
                     (A)  wearing personal protective equipment while
  visiting the resident;
                     (B)  completing a health screening before
  entering the facility;
                     (C)  submitting to regular viral testing; and
                     (D)  monitoring symptoms, practicing social
  distancing, and limiting contact with individuals outside of the
  facility; and
               (5)  establish a visitor's log for contact tracing.
         (c)  In the event of a conflict between this section and any
  other law, this section prevails.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 555, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER F. RIGHT TO ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER VISITS
         Sec. 555.201.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "essential
  caregiver" means a family member, friend, or other individual
  selected by a resident for in-person visits.
         Sec. 555.202.  RESIDENT'S RIGHT TO ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER
  VISITS.  (a)  A resident of a state supported living center has the
  right to designate at least one essential caregiver with whom the
  center may not prohibit in-person visitation.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the executive
  commissioner by rule shall develop guidelines to assist state
  supported living centers in establishing essential caregiver
  visitation policies and procedures. The guidelines must require the
  centers to:
               (1)  allow residents to designate for in-person
  visitation at least one essential caregiver, and more than one if
  needed;
               (2)  establish a visitation schedule allowing the
  essential caregiver to visit the resident for the greater of two
  hours each day or the hours necessary for the caregiver to complete
  all caregiving tasks;
               (3)  establish procedures to enable personal contact
  between the resident and essential caregiver while requiring social
  distancing between the caregiver and center staff;
               (4)  obtain a signed acknowledgement from the essential
  caregiver in which the caregiver agrees to follow the center's
  safety protocols, including:
                     (A)  wearing personal protective equipment while
  visiting the resident;
                     (B)  completing a health screening before
  entering the center;
                     (C)  submitting to regular viral testing; and
                     (D)  monitoring symptoms, practicing social
  distancing, and limiting contact with individuals outside of the
  center; and
               (5)  establish a visitor's log for contact tracing.
         (c)  In the event of a conflict between this section and any
  other law, this section prevails.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall establish the guidelines required by
  Sections 260B.0002 and 555.202, Health and Safety Code, as added by
  this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.