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 (S 3691) grants patients with developmental disabilities in New Jersey hospitals the right to have a designated caregiver - such as a family member, guardian, direct support professional (DSP), or other caregiver - accompany them throughout their entire hospital stay, except during active surgical procedures where safety concerns apply. It requires hospitals to provide patients or their legal representatives the opportunity to choose this caregiver at admission, document the choice in medical records, and ensure the designated person can remain with the patient. The law directly affects individuals with developmental disabilities receiving inpatient hospital care across New Jersey, ensuring their support network can be present during treatment. Key mechanisms include standardized definitions for terms like "developmental disability" and "DSP," mandatory hospital procedures for designation, and clear exceptions for surgical settings.