Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1711-D is enacted to read:

§1711-D.__Designation of visitors

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Hospital" means an institution that primarily provides to inpatients, by or under the supervision of physicians, diagnostic services and therapeutic services for medical diagnosis, treatment and care of injured, disabled or sick persons or rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled or sick persons.__"Hospital" includes psychiatric hospitals.

B.__"Nursing facility" means a facility as defined in section 1812-A and licensed under chapter 405.

2.__Patient authorized to designate visitors.__A patient in a hospital or nursing facility may designate an individual or individuals as eligible to visit the patient, regardless of whether the visitor is a member of the patient's immediate family.

3.__Designation process.__A health care provider in charge of patients in a hospital or nursing facility and a health care practitioner licensed under the laws of this State shall provide to a patient a process by which the patient may designate individuals as eligible to visit the patient in accordance with subsection 2.__A record of the designation must be maintained in the patient's health care record and remains in effect until revoked by the patient.

4.__Required to admit visitor.__A hospital or nursing facility to which a patient has been admitted must permit individuals designated in accordance with subsection 2 to visit with the patient at reasonable and appropriate times unless the health care provider in charge has specified that no visitors are allowed.

5.__Limitation.__This section does not apply to a patient under 18 years of age.

SUMMARY

This bill provides a process by which a health care patient may specify visitors to visit with the patient in a hospital or