Photo from Rep. Kathy Rapp’s Facebook page Rep. Kathy Rapp speaks in support of legislation since signed into law that will allow essential caregivers to be designated that will be able to visit people in long-term care facilities during disaster declarations.

Legislation aimed at allowing designated caregivers to visit family members in long-term care facilities during disaster declarations has been signed into law.

The measure was brought forward by State Rep. Kathy Rapp.

Speaking on the floor in support of the measure, she said that “one of the greatest tragedies” of the pandemic has “been the act of denying family members their ability to visit their loved ones who reside in an elderly care and other facilities.”

The legislation directs the Department of Health and Department of Human Services to establish protocols to “allow a resident … or an individual with decision making authority for the resident to designate an individual as the resident’s essential caregiver during a declaration of disaster emergency.”

The legislation states that the “essential caregiver” will be designated as such during the intake process.

“I’m sure many of my colleagues experienced some of the same calls that I did, family members calling in tears, anger or frustration … regarding their situation not being allowed to see their loved ones,” Rapp said.

“While realizing the need for the protection of the residents of the facilities, and knowing that the greatest number of deaths were and are in our elderly care facilities, our citizens in these facilities deserve to see their loved ones especially in their last hours of life before departing to the next life.”

She credited staff at facilities across the state for filling this space during the pandemic.

There’s a role for this legislation, Rapp suggested, even with the majority of COVID-19 restrictions lifted.

“This allows us to prepare for any future declaration of emergencies,” she said on the floor.

A press release from Rapp’s office explains that this legislation mirrors regulations “already successfully implemented” in Minnesota and Indiana.