Essential Caregivers Act of 2025
- Last Action
- 12/16/2025
Actions
- 2025-12-16Referred 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.
- 2025-12-16Referred 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.
- 2025-12-16Introduced in House
- 2025-12-16Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2025-12-16 (00)
Essential Caregivers Act of 2025
This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods.
Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period.
Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.
Cosponsors (20)
- John Larson (D-CT)
- Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
- Tracey Mann (R-KS)
- Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ)
- Cory Mills (R-FL)
- Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
- Susie Lee (D-NV)
- Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
- John Mannion (D-NY)
- Julia Brownley (D-CA)
- Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)
- Maria Salazar (R-FL)
- Thomas Tiffany (R-WI)
- Aaron Bean (R-FL)
- Maxwell Frost (D-FL)
- Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
- Young Kim (R-CA)
- Joe Neguse (D-CO)
- Rudy Yakym (R-IN)
- Michael Lawler (R-NY)
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.