AR SB19

Allow patients to choose one support person to accompany them during medical appointments or hospital stays, unless the support person's presence infringes on others' rights or safety or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated

Permit patients to select multiple support persons but restrict only one support person from being physically present at a time

Require hospitals and physician's offices to adopt written policies and procedures regarding patient visitation rights, including clinically necessary restrictions and reasons for them, with telecommunications options offered when visitation is restricted

Require hospitals and physician's offices to inform patients and support persons of visitation rights and ensure support persons receive full and equal visitation privileges consistent with patient preferences

Permit parents, guardians, or persons in loco parentis to be physically present with minors during treatment unless the minor is in Department of Human Services custody or is a suspected victim in a pending child maltreatment investigation and DHS determines the parent's presence is dangerous or contrary to the child's welfare

Exempt patients at Arkansas State Hospital and persons in custody of the Department of Corrections, Division of Youth Services, or Arkansas Adult Protective Services Unit from these requirements