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Panel releases bill allowing designated caregivers to accompany patients with developmental disabilities in hospitals, with limits
Summary
A2259, allowing designated family, guardians or direct support professionals to accompany hospital patients with developmental disabilities, was released with amendments that align accompaniment to hospital policies and preserve decision-making authority for legally authorized persons.
The Health Committee released A2259 after agreeing to amendments that permit designated family members, guardians or direct support professionals to accompany hospital patients with developmental disabilities, subject to hospital policies and safety exceptions.
Committee amendments revise the bill to make accompaniment consistent with hospital visitation and documentation procedures, reserve decision-making authority to persons authorized under law (for example, legal guardians), allow hospitals to designate one caregiver at a time, and limit accompaniment in behavioral health treatment units where safety or privacy are concerns. Vice Chair Donlon, the prime sponsor, told the committee that accompaniment improves communication and care for patients who cannot advocate for themselves.
Sharon Levin of The Arc of New Jersey filed written support and the committee heard no opposing testimony. Members praised the amendments as balancing patient advocacy and privacy and moved the bill out of committee.
