HF 4025

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/07/2022 03:01pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing a right for a pregnant patient to have a designated
support person present while receiving health care; amending Minnesota Statutes
2020, section 144.651, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.651, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 10a. new text end

new text begin Designated support person for pregnant patient. new text end

new text begin (a) A health care provider
and a health care facility must allow, at a minimum, one designated support person of a
pregnant patient's choosing to be physically present while the patient is receiving health
care services including during a hospital stay.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "designated support person" means any person
necessary to provide comfort to the patient including but not limited to the patient's spouse,
partner, family member, or another person related by affinity. Certified doulas and traditional
midwives may not be counted toward the limit of one designated support person.
new text end