House Bill 489 Summary

• Expands the definition of "essential caregiver" to include a patient's or resident's spouse, adult child, parent, guardian, conservator, health care agent, or surrogate decision-maker, plus any additional persons designated by the patient or resident.

• Prohibits facilities from limiting the number of essential caregivers designated or defining the term more narrowly than provided in statute.

• Guarantees patients and residents the right to in-person visitation from essential caregivers even when other visitors are excluded, while allowing facilities to impose reasonable safety protocols and restrict where, when, and how many caregivers may visit simultaneously.

• Requires facilities restricting overall visitation to notify patients, residents, or surrogate decision-makers at intake of their right to designate essential caregivers and to explain that essential caregivers need not be formal caregivers.

• Becomes effective July 1, 2024, with an emergency declaration.