Bill > H1221

This bill establishes new regulations for do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders in Massachusetts, defining key terms such as "authorized representative" (someone with legal authority to make healthcare decisions for another, like through a health care proxy or guardianship), "cardiopulmonary resuscitation" (CPR, which includes chest compressions and other life-saving measures), and "do-not-resuscitate order" itself as a medical directive to withhold CPR, which must be signed by a licensed healthcare professional and consented to by the patient, their authorized representative, or a parent/guardian for a minor. The bill mandates that the Department of Public Health create a standardized form for patients or their representatives to consent to a DNR order, which healthcare providers must offer upon request and which requires physician verification to be valid. It also states that healthcare providers cannot perform CPR on a patient they know has a valid DNR order, unless the patient explicitly consents to CPR at the time of arrest, and outlines penalties for providers who knowingly violate this provision, including suspension, fines, or community service. Finally, healthcare facilities will be required to have policies to ensure providers are aware of patients with DNR orders, and the Department of Public Health will issue further regulations to implement these changes.