A bill that would give North Carolina long-term care residents the right to receive visitors during emergencies is awaiting the signature of Gov. Roy Cooper (D) after receiving legislative approval this week.
House Bill 351, also known as Clifford’s Law, directs the state Department of Health and Human Services to establish visitation protocols for adult care homes and nursing homes during declared disasters and emergencies when normal visitation is suspended or curtailed. Residents would have the right to designate one visitor and an alternate to visit at least twice per month during an emergency.
Jeff Horton, executive director of the North Carolina Senior Living Association, told McKnight’s Senior Living that overall, the bill is reasonable.
“Visitation has been very hard on residents and everyone during the whole pandemic,” Horton said. “Trying to keep residents safe while visiting with loved ones is a tough balancing act. The legislature wanted to put something in place to make clear what expectations are from their level.”
The bill is named for Clifford Jernigan, a 63-year-old long-term care facility resident who is said to have suffered under visitation restrictions during the pandemic.
“This bill grants families and caretakers access to their loved ones,” primary sponsor Rep. Ben Moss (R-Richmond) said in a statement. “Clifford’s Law ensures that never again will families be forced to watch their loved ones in long-term care facilities suffer the devastating effects of isolation because of lack of access.”
The bill received final legislative approval on Tuesday by the state House after a state Senate vote last week. It now heads to Cooper’s desk for his signature.
