SB 53 gains approval from State, Veterans and Military Affairs Comm.

The effort to allow hospital visitations during a pandemic took a large leap forward this week, when the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, on a 3-2 vote, greenlighted Senate Bill 53.

Sponsored by Senator Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, the bill has been on hold for more than three weeks while Sonnenberg and Senate Democrats worked out an amendment to address concerns raised by opponents.

SB 53 states that a patient admitted to a hospital for inpatient care, or a resident of a nursing care assisted living facility, can have at least one visitor of their choosing. Those facili...