(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d)-(f), an agent designated to make healthcare decisions under a power of attorney for health care has a right to in-person visitation with the principal at a hospital where the principal is located to evaluate the principal's condition. A hospital shall permit the agent to conduct no less than one (1) in-person visit with the principal during the hospital's regular visitation hours each day the principal is in the hospital. The hospital shall make a reasonable effort to ensure that each visit is a minimum of one (1) hour in duration.(b) A hospital may require that an agent who is entering the hospital's premises for purposes of visitation pursuant to subsection (a) submit to non-invasive health and safety protocols.(c) Except as provided in subsections (d)-(f), the visitation right specified in subsection (a) must not be terminated, suspended, waived, or otherwise limited upon the declaration of a disaster or emergency by the governor or the governor's designee, or by another individual or entity acting on behalf of this state or a political subdivision of this state.(d) The principal may limit the visitation right specified in or or the governor's designee, or by another individual or entity acting on behalf of this state or a political subdivision of this state.(d) The principal may limit the visitation right specified in subsection (a) by: (1) Indicating such limitation in the power of attorney for health care; or(2) Notifying the healthcare provider orally or in writing that the principal declines a visit.(e) The visitation right specified in subsection (a) does not apply to a principal who, while in the hospital, is being detained by or is in the custody of a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or hospital security personnel.(f) The hospital may limit the visitation right specified in subsection (a) while the principal is undergoing a surgical or other invasive procedure.(g) As used in this section, 'hospital' has the same meaning as defined in § 68-11-201.Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 766,s 2, eff. 7/1/2024.
Tennessee Legal Code