summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the End-of-life Care Peer Support Program. Provides that the program is available to terminally ill persons committed to the Department of Corrections. Provides that the program shall be administered by the Department of Corrections in partnership with certain health care providers. Provides that individual patients may accept or decline care or participation in the program. Provides that individual patients shall define the scope of peer support, including the option to opt out of certain aspects of support. Provides that patient care plans shall be developed with the individual patient, the patient's peer support attendants, and the interdisciplinary team. Provides that participating patients shall be subject to the least restrictive security measures possible, with access to comfort items such as blankets, memorabilia, music, and books. Provides that participating patients shall have the following rights: (1) the right to dignity, privacy, respect, and culturally competent care; (2) the right to request peer support services; (3) the right to refuse services; and (4) the right to request family visitation. Provides that all participants in the program, including patients and peer support attendants, shall have access to grief counseling and mental health care services as needed. Provides that the program shall be funded through: (1) the Individual Benefit Fund; (2) direct appropriations from the General Revenue Fund; and (3) federal appropriations if applicable.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the End-of-life Care Peer Support Program within the Department of Corrections (DOC) for terminally ill or medically incapacitated individuals committed to the DOC. The program, also referred to as "Humanizing End-of-Life Care for People in Prison," will be administered by the DOC in partnership with various healthcare providers, hospice organizations, and community support services. It emphasizes patient-centered care, allowing individuals to accept or decline participation and define the scope of their peer support, which will be developed in collaboration with their peer support attendants and an interdisciplinary team. Participating patients will be subject to the least restrictive security measures possible and will have access to comfort items, along with rights to dignity, privacy, respect, culturally competent care, and family visitation. Importantly, both patients and peer support attendants will have access to grief counseling and mental health services, and the program will be funded through the Individual Benefit Fund, direct appropriations, and potentially federal funds.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
House Judiciary - Criminal Committee Hearing (16:00:00 2/24/2026 Room D-1 Stratton Building) (on 02/24/2026)
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