Proposed Rule Would Require Hospitals to Accommodate Support Persons

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5/1/2025

The New Jersey Department of Health recently proposed a new regulation regarding support persons accompanying patients in hospital settings, based on support person accommodations made during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Specifically, the Department is proposing to require hospitals to allow a support person, 18 years of age or older, to accompany a hospital patient throughout the patient’s treatment in all areas where communication between hospital staff and patients would normally take place. If adopted, patients would be able to list one individual as the primary support person, who would function as the main contact for the patient’s providers, other than the patient. Hospitals would be required to ensure listed support persons have 24-hour access to the patient.

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For more information, contact:
John D. Fanburg, Chair | 973.403.3107 | jfanburg@bracheichler.com
Edward Hilzenrath | 973.403.3114 | ehilzenrath@bracheichler.com
Rebecca T. Falk | 973.364.8393 | rfalk@bracheichler.com

*This is intended to provide general information, not legal advice. Please contact the authors if you need specific advice.

Related Practices:   Healthcare Law

Related Industry:   Healthcare