Senate Engrossed House Bill

hospitalizations; family visitation

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

CHAPTER 296

HOUSE BILL 2633

An Act

amending title 36, chapter 4, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 36-407.02; relating to health care institutions.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 36, chapter 4, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-407.02, to read:

START_STATUTE36-407.02. Hospitals; visitation policy; exception

a. A hospital shall develop a visitation policy that allows a patient to have daily in-person visitation by a designated visitor of the patient's choice, which may include the patient's spouse or one parent or child of the patient. A hospital's policies regarding visitation shall ensure that the patient and the patient's visitors may have physical contact, especially during end-of-life visitation, unless a physician determines based on the patient's condition that the visitation does not meet health and safety standards or is reasonably likely to harm the patient.  If a physician denies visitation with a patient pursuant to this section, the patient or the patient's representative, which may include the patient's spouse, parent or child, may request a meeting, as provided by the visitation policy, with the physician and the hospital's chief medical officer, chief of staff or chief executive officer to receive a review and explanation within twenty-four hours of the physician's decision to deny visitation.  If the designated visitor's request to visit is denied or not resolved at the meeting, the visitor may file a complaint with the department. All visitors must comply with reasonable health and safety precautions imposed by the hospital in connection with the visit.

B. This section does not apply to the Arizona state hospital, any other licensed facility under the jurisdiction of the superintendent of the Arizona state hospital or chapter 5 of this title. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Short title

This act may be cited as the "Glenn Martin Act".

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR JUNE 13, 2022.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE JUNE 13, 2022.