AK HB52

Emergency medical services providers must allow patients to have a support person of their choice present during treatment, subject to reasonable restrictions, and must establish written policies describing any restrictions and the reasons for them.

Hospitals, mental health facilities, long-term care facilities, and hospices must allow patients and residents to have a support person of their choice present at all times during their stay, and cannot require support persons to provide proof of vaccination or immunization status.

Minors have the right to have a parent, guardian, or person standing in place of a parent present at all times during care at health care facilities, and facilities cannot require patients to waive this right or separate minors from these individuals except in cases of suspected abuse, threats of violence, or prevention of care disruption.

Health care facilities with internet websites must make their visitation policies and procedures publicly available online within 24 hours of adoption; facilities without websites must make policies available in printed form and post notice of availability in a conspicuous location.

Patients, support persons, parents, and guardians may file complaints with the commissioner of health or bring civil lawsuits for violations, with prevailing plaintiffs entitled to nominal damages of at least $1,000, compensatory damages, and attorney fees; support person rights cannot be terminated or suspended by state agencies or during disaster declarations.