Photo: Rep. Julie Mayberry. Photo: Courtesy Arkansas House of Representatives
A bill that would require hospitals to allow patients to have visitors was signed into law on Thursday.
KATV reports according to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Julie Mayberry of Hensley, the “No Patient Left Alone Act” or Act 311 is effective immediately due to an emergency clause.
The passage of the law came on the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case being confirmed in Arkansas.
“We passed a minimum threshold and we hope that as more people are vaccinated, and as cases decrease, that visitation in the hospital and long-term care facilities will be back to usual standards,” Mayberry said.
Act 311 states that a patient would be allowed to designate at least three support persons and that one person would be allowed to be with the patient at all times in an emergency department, during a hospital stay, in a healthcare professional’s office, or hospice facility. Clergy members will be allowed to visit as well.
Rep. Mayberry asks for patience from patients and families as hospitals and long-term care facilities adjust to the new policy.
Local co-sponsors of the bill include Rep. Nelda Speaks of Mountain Home, Rep. John Payton of Wilburn, Sen. Scott Flippo of Bull Shoals and Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain View.
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