CT SB00290

Allows hospital patients being discharged to their home to designate a caregiver (relative, friend, neighbor, or other individual with a significant relationship) to provide post-discharge assistance, with no obligation for the designated individual to accept the role.

Requires hospitals to record the designated caregiver's information in the discharge plan and make reasonable attempts to notify the caregiver of the discharge as soon as practicable.

Mandates hospitals provide caregivers with training and instructions on all post-discharge assistance tasks in nontechnical language, including live or recorded demonstrations, opportunities for questions, and culturally competent language access services before discharge.

Prohibits hospitals, employees, and contractors from liability for services rendered or not rendered by caregivers, and clarifies that designated caregivers cannot be reimbursed by government or commercial payers for post-discharge assistance.

Does not delay patient discharge, does not affect advance directives or proxy healthcare rights, and does not impact insurance companies' reimbursement obligations under health benefits plans.