COVID-19 – Page 7 – Family Council

Arkansas Passes “No Patient Left Alone Act”

Mar 10, 2021Jerry CoxLegislatureArkansas Legislature, COVID-19

On Tuesday the Arkansas Senate overwhelmingly passed H.B. 1061, the No Patient Left Alone Act, by Rep. Julie Mayberry (R – Hensley) and Sen. Breanne Davis (R – Russellville).

This is a good piece of legislation that will help ensure people in healthcare facilities can receive visitors — even during a pandemic

The bill now goes to Gov. Hutchinson to become law.

At the beginning of this year Family Council outlined a list of priorities for the first few months of 2021. One of them was to secure passage of legislation that would protect people from being left alone and denied visitors in hospitals, nursing homes, and similar facilities. That’s what H.B. 1061 does.

H.B. 1061 is a very good bill. Family Council was pleased to work with Rep. Mayberry — as well as several groups and individuals — to help support its passage.

Senate Health Committee Passes Measure to Ensure Patients, Nursing Home Residents Have Visitors

Mar 9, 2021Jerry CoxCurrent Events, LegislatureArkansas Legislature, COVID-19

*Above: Rep. Mayberry explains H.B. 1061, the No Patient Left Alone Act, to state representatives in this file photo.*

On Monday the Senate Public Health Committee passed H.B. 1061 by Rep. Julie Mayberry (R – Hensley) and Sen. Breanne Davis (R – Russellville).

This good bill protects people from being left alone and denied visitors in hospitals, nursing homes, and similar facilities.

Since the coronavirus outbreak began, we’ve heard story after story of people separated from their loved ones.

Nobody should be barred from being in the hospital with their dying child, their spouse, or their parent. This bill helps address that in Arkansas.

H.B. 1061 now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate for consideration.

Bill Declaring Religion as Essential Passes Senate, Goes to Governor

Feb 4, 2021Jerry CoxLegislation, Legislature, Religious FreedomArkansas Legislature, COVID-19, Religious Freedom, Religious Liberty

On Wednesday the Arkansas Senate overwhelmingly passed H.B. 1211.

This good bill by Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R – Benton) recognizes that religion and religious organizations are essential in Arkansas.

In other states we’ve seen churches and religious organizations singled out during the COVID-19 pandemic. H.B. 1211 helps prevent that from ever happening in Arkansas.

Public officials have the authority to protect health and public safety, but the the free exercise of religion is never suspended.

H.B. 1211 ensures our government never closes churches during a disaster or other emergency.

It prevents the government from penalizing a church that meets during an emergency, and it requires churches to comply with the same basic health and safety standards as everyone else.

Churches and charities support their communities during an emergency. They need to be free to serve people without worrying that the government might punish them. H.B. 1211 provides that protection.

H.B. 1211 passed with overwhelming support in the Arkansas House and Arkansas Senate. It now goes to Governor Hutchinson’s desk to be signed into law.

Below is a breakdown of how the Arkansas Senate voted on H.B. 1211.