Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the No Patient Left Alone Act to require facilities to allow in-person visitation to certain patients at hospitals, adult care homes, and patient care facilities.

Highlights:

• Establishes the No Patient Left Alone Act to require state medical care facilities to allow in-person visitation to certain patients at (Sec. 1):

• Hospitals;

• Adult care homes; and 

• Patient care facilities.

• Requires hospitals to adopt visitation policies and procedures and specifies facilities may (Sec. ):

• Adopt visitation policies and procedures that are more stringent for intensive or critical care units;

• Require a visitor to agree in writing to follow the facility's policies and procedures;

• Temporarily suspend a visitor's in-person visitation if such a visitor violates the facility's policies and procedures;

• Revoke a visitor's in-person visitation if such visitor repeatedly violates the facility's policies and procedures or displays any violent or aggressive behavior; or

• Require a visitor to adhere to infection control procedures, including wearing personal protective equipment.

• Authorizes a civil action may be brought for a violation of this bill and specifies a prevailing plaintiff shall recover the actual damages the patient sustained or $25,000, whichever is greater, and the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorney fees (Sec. 1).

• Defines “patient” in this bill as an individual receiving care at or resident of a medical care facility (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect and be in force after its publication in the Kansas state registrar (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text