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LD 410

An Act To Require Parental Consent To Withhold Life-Sustaining Measures For A Minor Or To Comply With A Do-Not-Resuscitate Order For A Minor

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Abigail Griffin and 5 co-sponsors

LD 410 requires parental consent before withholding life-sustaining measures or DNR orders for minors; died in committee (ONTP vote, March 2025).

Reported Out - ONTP
#medicalrights #parentalconsent #patientsrights
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Bill Summary · LD 410

Legislative bill overview

LD 410 would require explicit parental consent before medical providers can withhold life-sustaining measures or implement do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for minors. The bill establishes parental authority as a prerequisite for these end-of-life decisions, regardless of other circumstances.

Why is this important

End-of-life decisions for minors involve complex medical, ethical, and legal considerations. This bill directly impacts how hospitals and healthcare providers navigate situations involving terminally ill children, children with severe disabilities, or families facing devastating diagnoses. It also affects parental rights, medical autonomy, and the role of healthcare professionals in these sensitive scenarios.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical vs. parental authority: Tension between healthcare providers' medical judgment (including cases where continued treatment may cause suffering) and parental decision-making rights
  • Scope and emergency situations: Unclear how the requirement applies in genuine emergencies where contacting parents may be impossible or delay critical care decisions
  • Existing legal frameworks: May conflict with current Maine law, state bioethics standards, and established protocols for pediatric palliative care and end-of-life decision-making
  • Children's interests: Questions about whose primary interests are protected—parents' rights or the minor's medical welfare and dignity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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