"Essential caregiver." An individual, whether a family
member or friend of a resident of a long-term care facility, who
is designated by the resident or appointed by an individual with
decision-making authority for the resident to provide physical
or emotional support to the resident during a declaration of
disaster emergency.
"Long-term care facility." A facility licensed by the
department or the Department of Human Services, including, but
not limited to, a long-term care nursing facility, a skilled
nursing facility, an assisted living facility, a personal care
home, an older adult daily living center, an independent long-
term care facility or an intermediate care facility for
individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Section 3. Access to long-term care facilities for essential
caregivers.
The department, in consultation with the Department of Human
Services, shall establish protocols to allow a resident of a
long-term care facility 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. An essential caregiver shall meet the necessary
qualifications to enter the long-term care facility to provide
in-person physical or emotional support to a resident of a long-
term care facility in accordance with the protocols established
under this section. The protocols shall include all of the
following:
(1) Safety measures for an essential caregiver,
including, but not limited to, restrictions on travel,
enhanced testing for communicable diseases and the necessary
safety equipment required to protect the health and safety of
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