SF 1136

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 06/06/2025 12:00 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to health; providing residents of long-term care facilities with the right to
a designated support person; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 144.651,
subdivision 10a; 144G.91, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.651, subdivision 10a, is amended to read:

Subd. 10a.

Designated support person deleted text begin for pregnant patient or other patient deleted text end .

(a)
Subject to paragraph (c), a health care provider and a health care facility must allow, at a
minimum, one designated support person chosen by a patient, including but not limited to
a pregnant patient, to be physically present while the patient is receiving health care services
including during a hospital stay. new text begin Subject to paragraph (c), a facility must allow, at a minimum,
one designated support person chosen by the resident to be physically present with the
resident while the resident is at the facility.
new text end

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "designated support person" means any person
chosen by the patient new text begin or resident new text end to provide comfort to the patient new text begin or resident, new text end including but
not limited to the patient's new text begin or resident's new text end 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.

(c) A facility may restrict or prohibit the presence of a designated support person in
treatment rooms, procedure rooms, and operating rooms when such a restriction or prohibition
is strictly necessary to meet the appropriate standard of care. A facility may also restrict or
prohibit the presence of a designated support person if the designated support person is
acting in a violent or threatening manner toward others. Any restriction or prohibition of a
designated support person by the facility is subject to the facility's written internal grievance
procedure required by subdivision 20.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144G.91, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Designated support person. new text end

new text begin (a) Subject to paragraph (c), an assisted living
facility must allow, at a minimum, one designated support person chosen by the resident to
be physically present with the resident while the resident is at the facility.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "designated support person" means any person
chosen by the resident to provide comfort to the resident, including but not limited to the
resident's spouse, partner, family member, or another person related by affinity.
new text end

new text begin (c) A facility may restrict or prohibit the presence of a designated support person if the
restriction or prohibition is strictly necessary to meet the appropriate standard of care or if
the designated support person is acting in a violent or threatening manner toward others. If
the facility restricts or prohibits a resident's designated support person from being present,
the resident may file a complaint or inquiry with the facility according to subdivision 20.
new text end