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Bill > S0566


FL S0566

Patient-directed Medical Orders


summary

Introduced
02/10/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An act relating to patient-directed medical orders; amending s. 765.101, F.S.; revising and providing definitions; amending s. 765.102, F.S.; revising legislative findings and intent to include palliative care for progressive illnesses; creating s. 765.3041, F.S.; providing a purpose and requirements for a patient-directed medical order; authorizing the use of telehealth for a specified purpose; requiring that certain health care services be provided to the principal regardless of the decision to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures; authorizing physicians, physician assistants, and certain advanced practice registered nurses to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures under certain circumstances without penalty; providing construction; amending ss. 395.1041, 400.142, 400.487, 400.605, 400.6095, 400.611, 401.35, 401.45, 429.255, 429.73, 744.4431, 752.001, 765.110, 765.204, 765.205, and 765.305, F.S.; conforming cross-references and provisions to changes made by the act; requiring the Agency for Health Care Administration to create and update a database for the storage of patient-directed medical orders; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

This bill introduces a new type of medical order called a "patient-directed medical order" that allows patients to collaborate with healthcare providers to create a portable, electronic medical order specifying their treatment preferences, particularly regarding life-prolonging procedures. The bill defines this order as a medical document created jointly by a patient and a qualified healthcare professional (physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse) that can be stored in an online registry and used across different healthcare settings. Key provisions include allowing patients to specify their wishes about medical interventions, such as withholding or withdrawing life-prolonging procedures, and establishing protections for healthcare providers who follow these orders. The bill also clarifies that even if a patient chooses to limit life-prolonging procedures, necessary health care services must still be provided to ensure the patient's comfort and pain management. Additionally, the legislation requires the creation of a voluntary, electronic database managed by the Agency for Health Care Administration to store these patient-directed medical orders, making them easily accessible in different medical environments. The bill aims to expand patient autonomy in end-of-life care decisions while providing clear legal guidelines for healthcare providers in implementing those decisions.

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration (on 05/03/2025)

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