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Bill

SB 1088

Health care decisions: life-sustaining treatment.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Catherine Blakespear

SB 1088 modifies California healthcare law governing legal authority, procedures, and standards for end-of-life life-sustaining treatment decisions and patient medical preferences.

In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
#healthcaredecisions #life-sustainingtreatment
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Bill Summary · SB 1088

Legislative bill overview

SB 1088 addresses legal procedures and protections surrounding life-sustaining treatment decisions in California. The bill, introduced by Senator Catherine Blakespear, appears to modify existing healthcare decision-making frameworks, though specific provisions are not yet publicly detailed given its early stage in the legislative process.

Why is this important

End-of-life care decisions involve deeply personal medical, ethical, and legal questions that affect individuals, families, and healthcare providers. California's existing laws on this topic significantly influence how patients' wishes are honored, particularly for those unable to communicate their preferences, making any modifications to these frameworks consequential for patient autonomy and medical practice.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of authority: Questions about who can make decisions (patients, families, medical professionals, courts) and under what circumstances
  • Standards of proof: Disagreements over what evidence is required to determine patient wishes (clear and convincing evidence vs. other standards)
  • Scope of treatable conditions: Controversy over which medical conditions qualify for treatment limitation decisions and whether the definition is too broad or too narrow

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

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