BILL NUMBER: S8268

SPONSOR: FELDER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to establish the compassionate helper volunteer program

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: This bill

establishes the compassionate helper volunteer program.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1.

1. Directs the New York State Department of Health, in cooperation with
the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and local
county departments of health, to establish a compassionate helper volun-
teer program to implement a system by which eligible volunteers may
provide free, nonmedical, quality of life services in hospitals to indi-
viduals hospitalized with COVID-19 and their families.
              

2. Authorizes and directs the New York State Commissioner of Health to
promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the compassion-
ate helper volunteer program. Such rules and regulations will (a) quali-
fy individuals to participate in the volunteer program pursuant to
subdivision three of this section; (b) enable the compassionate helper
volunteer program to provide free, non-medical, quality of life services
to individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and to their families includ-
ing but not limited to: (i) providing support to hospitalized patients
including reading, playing music or sitting with such hospitalized indi-
viduals; and (ii) assisting hospitalized individuals with non-medical
contact with families and friends including by mobile telephone or port-
able electronic device; and (c) authorize hospitals that participate in
the volunteer program to select and/or terminate all volunteers serving
at such hospital.

3. Provides that a person is eligible to participate as a volunteer
under this act if he or she: (a) has been tested by the state or local
department of health and has been found to have antibodies to COVID-19;
(b) has agreed to participate in the volunteer program without compen-
sation or the expectation of compensation; has received training from
the state or a local department of health to provide volunteer program
services; and (d) meets any other qualifications established by the
department of health.

4. Provides that notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law to
the contrary, the commissioner of health is authorized to waive, modify
or suspend the provisions of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant
to article twenty-eight of the public health law if such commissioner
determines that such waiver, modification or suspension is necessary for
the successful implementing of the compassionate helper volunteer
program authorized pursuant to this act and provided that such commis-
sioner determines that the health, safety and general welfare of people
receiving services under such volunteer program will not be impaired as
a result of such waiver, modification or suspension.

Section 2. Provides that this act is effective immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

One of the greatest hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic has been that
patients hospitalized with the illness must remain in strict quarantine.
Visitors are not allowed. Though medically necessary, this practice is
particularly harsh on those hardest hit by the virus and their loved
ones. Tragically, many COVID-19 patients have died without the comfort
of loved ones by their side. Having been denied the opportunity to say
goodbye, loved ones' grief is compounded by the fact that they were not
permitted to be present in the final moments of life to offer care and
comfort. Healthcare providers are working tirelessly around the clock to
care and comfort those with COVID-19 and their loved ones, but they are
emotionally and physically unable to do it all.

This measure seeks to provide comfort and relief by establishing the
Compassionate Helper Volunteer Program. This program will allow individ-
uals possessing COVID-19 antibodies to receive training and volunteer in
hospitals with COVID-19 patients. Compassionate helpers will aid in
non-medical, quality of life activities to ease patient anxiety caused
by illness and separation. They will visit with patients, help to over-
come language barriers, facilitate communication with loved ones and
provide relief to our overwhelmed healthcare providers. Hospitals will
retain control over those selected as compassionate helpers and will
terminate any individual determined to be not working in the best inter-
ests of a patient or their loved ones.

By simply sitting with patients, reading to them, playing soft music,
wetting their lips or quietly offering a caring presence, these helpers
will assist us in moving forward during this difficult time in a more
kind and compassionate way.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.