Bill > H0578

This bill adds a new section to Idaho's existing law to establish "Simon's Law" regarding life-sustaining treatment for unemancipated minors. The key provisions are: 1. An order not to resuscitate, withhold artificial life-sustaining procedures, or withhold artificial nutrition and hydration for an unemancipated minor (a minor who is not married or in active military service) cannot be instituted unless at least one parent or legal guardian has been notified, both orally and in writing, of the physician's intent to do so, and reasonable attempts have been made to notify any other parent or guardian. 2. Unless the parent or guardian agrees, such an order cannot be implemented until at least 48 hours after the required notification. This notification must be recorded in the patient's medical record. 3. The notification requirement does not apply if the healthcare provider has made diligent efforts for 72 hours to contact and notify at least one known parent or guardian, without success. 4. Within 48 hours of notification, a parent or guardian can request to transfer the minor to another facility or discharge them, and the healthcare provider must continue providing life-sustaining treatment for at least 15 days to facilitate the transfer.

Health and Social Services, Justice

Health and Welfare Committee (House)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2020/legislation/H0578/