H351 - Clifford's Law. (SL 2021-145)

Overview: S.L. 2021-145 requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish visitation protocols that would be in effect during declared disasters and emergencies and when a facility suspends or restricts normal visitation. The protocols must provide visitation rights for patients in nursing homes, combination homes, and adult care homes, including family care homes, and allow each resident to receive a visit at least twice per month from one preapproved visitor or preapproved alternate visitor. The protocols must be in place by June 15, 2022.

The provisions of the act establishing the standards for visitation become effective April 1, 2022. The provisions of the act requiring the DHHS Secretary to implement visitation protocols became effective September 10, 2021.