1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; establishing a right for a pregnant patient to have a designated 
1.3 	support person present while receiving health care;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2022, section 144.651, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 144.651, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.7 	to read:
1.8 		Subd. 10a.Designated support person for pregnant patient. (a) A health care provider 
1.9 	and a health care facility must allow, at a minimum, one designated support person of a 
1.10 	pregnant patient's choosing to be physically present while the patient is receiving health 
1.11 	care services including during a hospital stay.
1.12 	(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "designated support person" means any person 
1.13 	necessary to provide comfort to the patient including but not limited to the patient's spouse, 
1.14 	partner, family member, or another person related by affinity. Certified doulas and traditional 
1.15 	midwives may not be counted toward the limit of one designated support person.