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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
hospitals; visitation
Purpose
An emergency measure that directs hospitals to facilitate clergy visitation at any time, including during a pandemic.
Background
On October 1, 2020, the Department of Health Services (DHS) published the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Visitation at Congregate Settings for Vulnerable Adults and Children to allow for visitations that comply with Centers for U.S. Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The DHS guidance recommends permitting direct care workers who are not facility employees, including clergy, to visit facilities, if they: 1) are not subject to a work exclusion; and 2) show no signs or symptoms of COVID-19 after being screened.
DHS guidance directs facilities to enforce required pandemic mitigation measures for visitors and allows for the removal of visitors who refuse to comply with such mitigation measures (DHS).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires hospital visitation policies to facilitate the ability of clergy to visit patients for religious purposes, including during a pandemic.
2. Requires hospitals to facilitate in-person clergy visitation during end-of-life situations, regardless of the time of day.
3. Requires clergy to comply with reasonable health and safety precautions imposed by hospitals, in connection with visitation.
4. Defines clergy visitations and visits to include virtual visits using communication technology.
5. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.
House Action
HHS 2/15/21 DPA 8-1-0-0
3rd Read 2/23/21 46-13-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 8, 2021
CRS/JP/kja