Guarantees families can visit loved ones in care facilities during emergencies
This bill would give people living in nursing homes and other care facilities the right to name an "essential caregiver" who can visit them, even during emergencies when other visitors are restricted. It would ensure these caregivers have access to their loved ones every day and at any time, helping to prevent the isolation many residents faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, during emergencies, care facilities can restrict all visitors, leading to isolation for residents. After this bill, facilities would be required to allow residents to designate an essential caregiver who would have guaranteed access every day and at any time, even during emergencies. Facilities could only deny access for a limited time (7 to 14 days) and would face penalties up to $5,000 for not following the rules, with an appeals process for caregivers.
S 3491 · 119th Congress · December 16, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10
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4 filings mentioned this bill
Amounts reflect total quarterly lobbying spend reported to the Senate, not bill-specific spending. Source: Senate LDA filings.