Legislation & Studies

In order to get legislation passed in your state and federally in DC, we need to work within the system. Bringing legislation from other states, studies, and stories is key.

We’ve written a blog post with a game plan to get it going in your state here.

States that have passed or are considering NEVER Alone/No Patient Left Behind Legislation

  • Arizona

    A doctor can override a patient’s right to a visitor.

    Text of the Bill

  • Arkansas

    Arguably the best legislation in the nation, but it still has its problems. Hospitals were still locking people out and daring people to report them to the state. Many people didn’t know about the law, and the ones that did were often too fearful of retribution from the hospitals.

    Text of the Bill

  • Colorado

    Hospitals have too many “outs” for it to be considered good legislation. Governor Jared Polis privately admitted more needed to be done before the signing.

    Text of the Bill

  • Florida

    All it guarantees is a daily 2-hour visit. Not enough.

    Text of the Bill

  • Idaho

    Signed in 2022

    Text of the Bill

  • Missouri

    One of the best pieces of legislation in the nation.

    Text of the Bill

  • New Hampshire

    Signed in 2022

    Text of the Bill

  • North Carolina

    Passed unanimously in this purple state.

    Text of the Bill

  • Oklahoma

    One of the best in the nation.

    Text of the Bill

  • Tennessee

    The bill expires in 2023.

    Text of the Bill

  • Texas

    Doctors can override the patient’s right to visitation … and all it takes is a hospital administrator to demand all doctors to do the same and no visitors would be allowed.

    Text of the Bill

  • West Virginia

    Allows visitation “If the patient's death is imminent” and “In all other instances, the health care facility shall allow visitation not less than once every five days.”

    Text of the Bill

18 Studies & Articles to consider bringing and sharing

If you know of other states please let us know.