Text of RI S 2498 (2008)
AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS (would extend privacy for visits by domestic partners)
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As introduced
2,559 characters
2008 -- S 2498
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS
Introduced By: Senators Miller, C Levesque, Sosnowski, and Pichardo
Date Introduced: February 13, 2008
Referred To: Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 23-17.5-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17.5 entitled "Rights
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of Nursing Home Patients" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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23-17.5-16. Married patient. – Patient with spouse or domestic partner. -- (a) If
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married, or in a relationship with a domestic partner, patients shall be assured privacy for visits by
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the spouse; or domestic partner if both are inpatients in the facility, they may share a room unless
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medically contraindicated per written order of the physician and subject to the availability of
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accommodations within the facility.
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(b) For purposes of this section, "domestic partner" shall mean a person who shares an
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exclusive, intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring with the patient and who certifies
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by affidavit that the patient and domestic partner:
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(i) are at least eighteen (18) years of age and mentally competent to contact;
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(ii) are not married to anyone else;
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(iii) are not related by blood to a degree that would prohibit marriage in the state of
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Rhode Island;
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(iv) resided together for at least one year prior to the patients entry into the nursing home;
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and
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(v) are financially interdependent as evidenced by at least two (2) of the following:
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(A) domestic partnership agreement or relationship contract;
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(B) joint mortgage or joint ownership of primary residence;
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(C) two (2) of:
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(1) joint ownership of motor vehicle;
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(2) joint checking account;
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(3) joint credit account;
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(4) joint lease; and/or
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(D) the domestic partner has been designated as a beneficiary for the patients will,
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retirement contract or life insurance.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS
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This act would extend privacy for visits by domestic partners.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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