Bill > SB5096

This bill removes language from the Washington state natural death act that previously invalidated a health care directive if the patient was pregnant. Specifically, the bill eliminates a provision that stated a health care directive would have no force or effect during pregnancy if the pregnancy was known to the physician. The bill modifies the model directive form for advance health care directives by deleting the pregnancy-related clause, which previously created an automatic suspension of the directive's instructions during pregnancy. By removing this provision, the bill ensures that a person's advance health care directive remains valid and in effect regardless of pregnancy status. The change allows individuals to maintain control over their end-of-life medical decisions without an automatic exception based on pregnancy. The bill maintains the rest of the existing law's structure and requirements for advance health care directives, including provisions about witnessing, signature requirements, and the directive's scope of application.

Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5096&Year=2025&Initiative=false