NY S09036

Establishes essential caregiver visitation rights for residential health care facility residents during the COVID-19 state disaster emergency declared by Executive Order 202 on March 7, 2020.

Restricts visitation only for residents in active 14-day quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 or those currently symptomatic with coronavirus-related symptoms.

Sets tiered visitation schedules based on facility phase: Phase Zero (active outbreak) allows one visit per week up to 2 hours; Phase One or Two allows up to two visits per week up to 4 hours; Phase Three allows regular pre-COVID visitation procedures.

Requires essential caregivers to assist residents with feeding, hygiene, mobility, dressing, emotional support, medication management, communication with staff, and reporting suspected abuse or neglect.

Mandates facilities develop policies for designating essential caregivers, establish infection control procedures including personal protective equipment use, and allow residents to designate primary, secondary, and alternative caregivers.