FL S1206

Grants patients the right to bring any person of their choosing to patient-accessible areas of health care facilities or providers' offices during inpatient or outpatient treatment or consultations with health care providers.

Permits facilities and providers to restrict accompaniment only when doing so would risk the safety or health of the patient, other patients, or staff, or cannot be reasonably accommodated.

Requires health care facilities and providers to include the new accompaniment right in the written statement of patient rights and responsibilities provided to patients.

Applies to health care providers treating patients in offices and health care facilities licensed under chapter 395 that provide emergency services, outpatient services, or admit patients.

Takes effect July 1, 2017.