Amends TCA Title 14 and Title 68, Chapter 11.

Under this bill, during a period in which a disaster, emergency, or public health emergency for COVID-19 has been declared, a long term care facility must allow a resident to have visitors during end-of-life situations and must not restrict a patient from having at least one resident representative present in the facility so long as the visitor or resident representative: (1) Provides a negative test for COVID-19 in accordance with the long term care facility’s policy; (2) Is not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or another communicable disease; (3) Agrees to follow all safety protocols established by the long term care facility, which must be clearly specified in writing and be no more restrictive than protocols applicable to staff of the facility; and (4) Would not by their presence in the long term care facility cause the facility to violate any federal or state law, rule, or guidance regulating that facility. This bill defines "resident representative" as a family member or another individual, chosen by a resident of a long term care facility to act on behalf of the resident in order to support the resident in decision-making; access medical, social, or other personal information of the resident; manage financial matters; or receive notifications. ON MARCH 21, 2022, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2574, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 removes the requirement to provide a negative test for COVID-19 in accordance with the long term care facility’s policy and adds court-appointed guardians and conservators of a resident to those who may be a resident representative.