Tennessee Bill Prohibiting Hospitals from Restricting Visitors to COVID-19 Patients Hits Governor’s Desk

A Tennessee bill that would prevent hospitals from restricting visitor access to COVID-19 patients made its way through the state legislature, landing at the governor’s desk.

The legislation, which is pending a signature from Gov. Bill Lee, also includes measures that limit mask and vaccine mandates to gain entry into certain places.

“Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, during a period in which a disaster, emergency, or public health emergency for COVID-19 has been declared, a hospital shall not restrict a patient from having at least one (1) family member present with the patient during the stay in the hospital as long as the family member tests negative for COVID-19 and is not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or another virus or communicable disease,” the bill states, per Fox News.

Doug Kufner, a spokesperson for Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton, the primary sponsor of the bill in that chamber, issued a statement to Fox News on Monday.

“Per discussions with members serving on the conference committee and as was stated on the record during the legislative process by the bill sponsor, the intent of the legislation was to help families support their loved ones who are nearing or in end-of-life scenarios,” Kufner said.

A spokesperson for Republican Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, the Senate speaker, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that “no one should have to face a potentially life-threatening scenario alone.”

“If that person is tested and symptom-free, there is no reason they should not be able to care for their loved one in their time of need,” the spokesperson added.