Senate Bill S146 amended to allow up to three designated visitors for long-term-care residents; moves to full committee unanimously

The Medical Affairs Subcommittee unanimously adopted an amendment to Senate Bill S146 to expand visitation rights for residents of nursing homes and similar facilities and sent the bill to the full committee with a favorable report.

Senator Nutt introduced S146, described by staff as a response to testimony about restricted visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. In its original form the bill allowed one designated visitor; the amendment from the South Carolina Healthcare Association and reflected in the committee's strike-and-insert text increases that to up to three designated individuals but limits to one visitor present at a time.

The amendment permits a facility resident or their representative to change the roster of designated visitors up to twice during a calendar year or sooner if a designee is permanently unable to visit. The committee adopted the amendment as a strike-and-insert to the bill and voted to report S146 favorably to the full committee.

Why it matters

S146 modifies resident visitation rules used in long-term-care settings and directly affects residents, families, facility operators and staff. The change responds to testimony that family members and others were prevented from visiting loved ones during earlier public-health responses and seeks a middle ground by limiting the number of simultaneous visitors while expanding the pool of designated visitors.

Votes and next steps

The subcommittee approved the strike-and-insert amendment and voted unanimously to report S146 to the full committee. Staff indicated the bill could be scheduled for full-committee consideration at the next available meeting.