Authorizes hospital patient with developmental disabilities to have designated family member, guardian, direct support professional, or other caregiver accompany patient throughout hospital stay.

This bill, A300, requires New Jersey hospitals to allow patients with developmental disabilities to have a designated caregiver - such as a family member, guardian, or direct support professional - accompany them throughout their entire hospital stay, except during active surgery where safety concerns arise. Hospitals must provide patients or their guardians an opportunity to choose this caregiver at admission, document the choice (or refusal) in medical records, and permit the designated person to stay with the patient. It clarifies that the designated caregiver is not obligated to provide care during the stay or after discharge. The bill applies specifically to patients with developmental disabilities admitted to licensed general hospitals in New Jersey.