An Act amending Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for emergency medical services, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to clarify and expand the use of Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). It defines key terms, strengthens criminal penalties for intentionally causing the withholding of life-sustaining treatment, and establishes a framework for the POLST program, including requirements for validity, portability, and education. The bill also repeals outdated provisions related to an advisory committee and provides for the discontinuance of POLST forms.
Key provisions
- Defines key terms such as ‘health care provider,’ ‘medical command physician,’ ‘order,’ and ‘patient’ within the context of POLST.
- Increases criminal penalties for intentionally causing the withholding of life-sustaining treatment.
- Establishes a framework for the POLST program, including requirements for validity, portability, and education.
- Specifies that a POLST is not recommended for individuals with stable, even if chronic, medical conditions.
- Allows for verbal orders and consent for POLSTs under certain circumstances.
- Provides for the acceptance of POLSTs issued in other states if they align with Pennsylvania law.
- Creates a process for the department to adopt and update a standard POLST form.
- Addresses the use of POLSTs in health care facilities and ensures their effectiveness.
Who is affected
- Patients
- Health care providers
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 0782 Html
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Sponsors
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4 on record
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