MS HB403

Grants minor patients the right to have a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis physically present during care, and allows adult patients to designate a spouse, family member, or caregiver for visitation at health care facilities.

Permits health care facilities to restrict visitation when medically contraindicated, when visitors interfere with patient care, or when visitors engage in disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior; facilities may require personal protective equipment (provided by the facility) and enforce safety protocols.

Prohibits health care facilities, the State Department of Health, or governmental entities from terminating, suspending, or waiving visitation rights during emergency declarations, and prevents facilities from requiring patients to waive these rights.

Authorizes the State Department of Health to impose fines of $1,000 for the first day of violation, $5,000 for the second day, and $10,000 per day for subsequent violations, with collected fines deposited to the State General Fund.

Requires health care facilities to post informational materials about these rights on their websites and shields facilities from state action for visitor access decisions unless expressly required by federal law.