SUMMARY: This emergency bill establishes the right of a resident of a long-term care facility to designate a person as an essential caregiver who may visit the resident, at the request of the resident, at any time and who may not be prohibited from visiting because of an outbreak of disease or other reason. The essential caregiver is subject to the same limitations of behavior and entry as employees of the facility, including requirements for illness screening and testing and use of personal protective equipment. The facility may prevent the essential caregiver from approaching any other person in the facility except for the resident. The resident of the facility may have only one essential caregiver at a time.

Sponsored by: Rep. Laurel LIBBY of Auburn
Co-Sponsored by: EVANGELOS of Friendship (I), FAY of Raymond (D),
HASENFUS of Readfield (D), MORALES of South Portland (D), PERRY of Calais (D), WARREN of Hallowell (D), WHITE of Waterville (D).

The Bill was referred to the Committee on: Health and Human Services
Read the Full Bill HERE.