New Jersey Senate Bill S785

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/13/26

Caption

Establishes "New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act"; requires certain facilities to establish policies guaranteeing visitation rights for facility residents.

Impact

The legislation requires that within 30 days of its effective date, health care facilities must establish visitation policies as a condition of licensure. This includes rules that protect both the residents' rights to visitation and manage infection control protocols. These policies must not be more stringent than those applied to facility staff and must allow for adequate physical contact and interaction between residents and their visitors. This aims to balance safety during emergencies with the social and emotional needs of residents.

Summary

Senate Bill S785, known as the 'New Jersey No Patient Left Alone Act,' establishes regulations to ensure that residents of certain health care facilities, including long-term care facilities and hospices, have guaranteed rights to visitation. Under this bill, facilities must implement policies that allow residents to receive visitors, which include domestic partners, essential caregivers, family members, and friends. The bill mandates that these facilities provide specific visitation rights irrespective of any declared public health emergency, ensuring that personal connections are preserved for individuals in care.

Contention

While the bill opens avenues for improved quality of life for patients, there may be concerns about how it will interact with existing health and safety regulations within facilities. The requirement to allow in-person visits during emergencies raises questions about the operational capacity of health care facilities to ensure safety while accommodating potentially unlimited visits. Opposition may arise from those worried that such provisions could lead to challenges in managing visits during outbreaks or crises where infection control is paramount.