H.B. 611 Summary

• Allows patients or guardians to designate a lay caregiver to provide after-care assistance in the patient's home following hospital discharge.

• Requires hospitals to offer patients or guardians the opportunity to designate a lay caregiver at admission or upon regaining consciousness, and to record the caregiver's information in the medical record with written consent to share medical information.

• Mandates hospitals create discharge plans that may include the lay caregiver's role and tasks, and arrange for the caregiver to participate in discharge planning reviews when the attending physician determines it appropriate.

• Requires hospitals to provide culturally sensitive instruction on discharge plan tasks, including live demonstrations when appropriate, with documentation in the patient's medical record.

• Specifies that lay caregiver designation is voluntary and does not obligate the caregiver to perform after-care, delay healthcare, or create new causes of action against hospitals; authorizes the Department of Health to adopt implementing rules.