MN HF345

Healthcare providers must allow at minimum one support person of the patient's or resident's choice to be physically present during care, with the bill cited as the "No Patient Left Alone Act"

Support persons include individuals meeting physical or mental needs, those present for end-of-life situations, clergy or spiritual advisors, and service providers like hairdressers requested by the patient

Providers may not require vaccination or other medical interventions that penetrate the skin as a condition for support person access, and rights cannot be suspended during declared emergencies

Providers face civil penalties of $500 per day for knowingly or willfully violating the support person requirements

Exemptions allow facilities to restrict access to operating rooms, isolation units, behavioral health settings, and emergency care situations, and to deny entry to support persons showing infection symptoms or exhibiting disruptive behavior