Allows personal caregivers to visit residents of adult care facilities at any time, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
Summary
This bill amends New York’s public health law and social services law to remove the current limitation that personal caregiving visitors may enter nursing homes and adult care facilities only during a declared public health emergency. Under the bill, personal caregiving visitors would be allowed to visit residents at any time, so long as they comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Facilities would be required to admit any personal caregiving visitor who meets those requirements.
The measure applies to both nursing homes and adult care facilities, and it is intended to preserve resident access to support from designated caregivers regardless of emergency status. The bill takes effect immediately if enacted.
Impact
The bill would amend section 2801-h of the Public Health Law and section 461-u of the Social Services Law by striking the emergency-only language and making personal caregiving visitation a standing right in nursing homes and adult care facilities. It would affect facility operators, residents, and designated personal caregivers by requiring facilities to permit such visits whenever the visitor complies with federal and state rules. The bill does not appear to create a new program, but rather expands and codifies visitation access beyond public health emergencies.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or recorded support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as a resident-access and caregiver-rights bill, suggesting a generally supportive policy rationale centered on maintaining personal care and emotional support for facility residents. However, without discussion or votes, the overall sentiment cannot be assessed beyond the bill’s apparent pro-visitation purpose.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the balance between resident access and facility control over infection prevention, safety, and operational management. Supporters would likely favor broader caregiver access for residents of nursing homes and adult care facilities, while opponents or cautious stakeholders may raise concerns about compliance burdens, screening, staffing, and the ability of facilities to limit visitors when necessary. Because no transcripts are included, it is not possible to identify specific legislators, agencies, providers, or advocacy groups taking those positions.
Requires long-term care facilities to develop person-centered care plans for residents and establishes right to certain forms of visitation for long-term care residents.
Requires long-term care facilities to develop person-centered care plans for residents and establishes right to certain forms of visitation for long-term care residents.
Provides that shared living for older adults and adults with disabilities allow individuals to receive care from family caregivers, related or unrelated regardless of whether they are performing other activities, such as power of attorney for individual.