Today, Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced that legislation (A1052B) to authorize compassionate care visitation in nursing homes was signed into law. The legislation, which Assemblymember Wallace sponsored and advocated for, would allow nursing home residents to designate two loved ones as caregivers, who would be exempted from any general prohibitions on nursing home visitations. Under the bill, compassionate caregivers would be subject to the same infection control protocols as staff members in order to protect residents’ health.

Nursing home visitation was alternately restricted or outright prohibited for most of the past year in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 among at-risk residents. Unfortunately, the visitation ban also caused many residents to suffer from isolation, depression, weight loss, and other negative mental and physical health effects. Additionally, the visitation ban increased the burden on nursing home staff, many of whom were overstretched even prior to the pandemic, because visitors often had helped with basic caregiving tasks like feeding, dressing, and communication.

“While restricting nursing home visitation was necessary to protect residents, it was also very painful to residents and their loved ones,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “This bill guarantees that every nursing home resident can receive visits from one or two essential caregivers, subject to the best practices for infection control, who will help maintain their physical health and mental well-being.”

On March 25, New York State updated its guidance to allow nursing home visits for all residents and at all times, with some exceptions for unvaccinated residents and those who have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. However, the legislation championed by Assemblymember Wallace would ensure nursing home residents will continue to receive compassionate care visits throughout any future public health crisis that may result in a general prohibition on nursing home visits.

“I’m pleased that mass vaccinations have allowed New York to safely and fully resume nursing home visits, but this is no guarantee that compassionate care visitation will remain in any future public health crisis,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “By codifying this practice into law now, we can prepare for the next potential crisis and ensure that we will have policies in place to benefit the health of nursing home residents, support the mental health of their loved ones, and alleviate the burden on hardworking staff. I thank my Legislature colleagues for passing this vital legislation and thank the Governor for signing it into law.”