Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The Essential Caregivers Act of 2026 requires nursing facilities, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and intermediate care facilities to allow residents to designate two essential caregivers who can visit in person even when the facility suspends regular visitation due to emergencies like disease outbreaks. Residents can change their designated caregivers at any time, and facilities must honor these visits, though caregivers must follow the same safety protocols as staff members. Facilities may temporarily restrict in-person visits during the first seven days of a visitation suspension if they provide video call access instead, and may deny access if a caregiver shows symptoms of infectious disease or refuses to follow safety rules, except that essential caregivers cannot be denied access during end-of-life care. The bill requires state agencies to prioritize investigating complaints about violations of essential caregiver access and respond within three days, and it prevents the federal government from waiving these requirements during emergencies. The regulations implementing the bill must be finalized within 18 months, with the full requirements taking effect one year after enactment.
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