Capitol Comments Articles
House Health and Human Services Hears Patient Visitors Legislation

Visitation (Feb. 7, 2023) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), held a hearing on House Bill 2264. The legislation sponsored by Vice Chairman John Eplee (R-Atchison), enacts the No Patient Left Alone Act, allowing in-person visitation in certain circumstances, and requiring such facilities to adopt visitation policies and procedures.

The legislation requires that prior to Sept. 1, 2023, each patient care facility shall establish visitation policies including but not limited to:

  • Infection control protocols and education for visitors
  • A set schedule of dates and times when visitation is allowed
  • The allowable length of a visit
  • Limits on the number of visitors a patient is allowed

The policies and procedures shall Allow in-person visitation if:

  • the patient is terminally ill or receiving end-of-life care
  • the visitor is making major medical decisions
  • the patient is experiencing emotional distress
  • the patient is admitted to a medical facility for childbirth and the visitor is under 18 years of age

Policies and procedures should be provided during a medical facility's initial licensing. Medical facilities renewing their license must post visitation policies on the homepage of the facility's website.

The bill allows for policies specific to intensive and critical care units. It also allows for modifications consistent with a patient's need, as well as temporary or permanent suspensions for visitors who violate the policy.

KHA and Leading Age Kansas provided testimony highlighting a need to meet federal and state guidelines and suggested language changes to ensure compatibility. The committee heard the carrier of the bill has proposed amendments to address conferee concerns.

Those testifying as written or verbal proponents of the legislation include:

  • Ryan Jacobsen, MD,
  • Deann Feldt, private citizen
  • Kimberly Megow, MD, HCA Midwest Healthcare
  • Gary Winfield, MD, HCA Midwest Healthcare
  • Rachelle Colombo, Kansas Medical Society

The committee is slated to meet Wednesday, Feb. 8.