In-person Visitation Bill

As the 2022 Legislative Session begins its final week, the In-person Visitation bill (HB 987) is scheduled for its second reading in the House Chamber, positioning for passage by Sine Die this Friday.  Affecting Assisted Living Facilities, Hospices, and Nursing Homes (and others), the bill requires providers to establish visitation policies and procedures. 

Florida’s residents have long enjoyed protected visitation rights through both State and Federal regulations. However, HB 987 would require providers to establish visitation policies that include infection control and education procedures. Screening and the use of personal protective equipment would have to be addressed in the policy, although the bill would not allow an ALF or Nursing Home to require visitors to provide proof of vaccination or immunization. Echoing a concept from one of Governor’s DeSantis’s 2020 Executive Orders, the bill specifies that a resident may designate a friend or family member as an essential caregiver and guarantees at least 2 hours daily visitation in addition to hours required by existing regulatory standards.  

HB 987 would also require providers to include their visitation policy when applying for or renewing their license and to post their policy online within 24 hours of development. The Agency for Health Care Administration would have to create a site page that explains Florida’s visitation policies.

The proposed bill also stipulates that a visitor who violates the provider’s visitation policy could have their visitation privileges suspended.

Read HB 987.