Minnesota Senate Bill SF1136

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/10/25
• Refer: 2/10/25

Caption

Right to a designated support person for residents of long-term care facilities establishment

Summary

SF1136 creates a statutory right for residents of long-term care settings to have at least one designated support person physically present with them while receiving care. The bill amends Minnesota’s patient-rights law to make clear that this right applies not only to patients in health care facilities, including pregnant patients, but also to residents in long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities. A designated support person may be a spouse, partner, family member, or another person chosen for comfort and support, and certified doulas and traditional midwives would not count toward the one-person minimum under the patient-rights provision. The bill also preserves facility authority to limit access in narrow circumstances. Facilities may restrict or prohibit the support person’s presence in treatment, procedure, or operating rooms when necessary to meet the standard of care, or if the person is violent or threatening. Any restriction would be subject to the facility’s internal grievance process, and in assisted living facilities residents could file a complaint or inquiry if access is denied. Overall, the measure expands resident visitation/support rights while retaining safety and clinical-care exceptions.

Impact

The bill would amend Minnesota Statutes section 144.651, subdivision 10a, and add a new subdivision to section 144G.91. In practical terms, it would impose a new minimum access requirement on health care facilities, long-term care facilities, and assisted living facilities to allow one resident-chosen support person to be physically present, subject to limited exceptions. This would affect facility policies, resident-rights procedures, and grievance handling, and it would strengthen the enforceable rights of residents and patients seeking emotional or personal support during care.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed positively as a resident-rights and family-support bill, with no recorded committee debate or votes indicating opposition or amendment. The sponsor list and caption suggest a consumer- and patient-centered purpose, and the bill’s structure reflects an effort to balance access with safety and clinical standards. Because no transcripts or vote history are available, there is no documented public controversy in the provided materials.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the scope of the right versus facility discretion. Supporters would likely favor the guaranteed presence of a chosen support person for comfort and advocacy, especially in long-term care and assisted living settings. Facilities and clinical staff may be concerned about operational burdens, infection control, privacy, or interference with treatment, which is why the bill includes exceptions for procedure rooms, operating rooms, standard-of-care needs, and violent or threatening behavior. Another possible issue is how broadly “related by affinity” is interpreted and how facilities would administer complaints and grievances when access is denied.