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HB 369

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2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Bell and 5 co-sponsors

HB 369 empowers patients to direct their medical care, ensuring their treatment preferences are respected, especially in end-of-life situations, while protecting providers.

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Bill Summary · HB 369

Summary of HB 369: Patient-directed Medical Orders

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: HB 369
- Title: Patient-directed Medical Orders
- Status: Filed
- Introduced: November 06, 2025
- Classification: Bill
- Subject Areas: Civil rights, domestic relations, social welfare

Purpose and Intent

HB 369 aims to enhance patient autonomy in medical decision-making by establishing a framework for "patient-directed medical orders." This legislation seeks to ensure that individuals can clearly communicate their healthcare preferences, particularly regarding life-prolonging procedures, and that these preferences are respected across various healthcare settings.

Key Provisions

  1. Definitions and Scope:

    • The bill revises existing definitions in Florida Statutes, including the introduction of the term "patient-directed medical order." This order allows patients to specify their treatment preferences in collaboration with healthcare providers.

  2. Legislative Findings:

    • The bill amends legislative findings to emphasize the importance of respecting patient preferences in end-of-life care and palliative treatment.

  3. Execution of Medical Orders:

    • A patient-directed medical order can be executed in advance to guide healthcare providers on treatment preferences.
    • The order must be signed by both the patient (principal) and their healthcare provider (physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse).

  4. Telehealth Provisions:

    • The bill authorizes the use of telehealth for executing patient-directed medical orders, allowing for flexibility in how these discussions and agreements are made.

  5. Protection for Healthcare Providers:

    • Physicians and other healthcare providers are granted the authority to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures under specific circumstances without facing legal penalties, provided they adhere to the patient's directives.

  6. Database Creation:

    • The Agency for Health Care Administration is tasked with creating and maintaining a database for storing patient-directed medical orders, ensuring they are accessible across different healthcare facilities.

  7. Conforming Amendments:

    • The bill includes amendments to various sections of Florida Statutes to align existing laws with the new provisions introduced by HB 369.

Impact

  • Patients: This bill empowers patients to have a more significant say in their healthcare decisions, particularly in end-of-life situations.
  • Healthcare Providers: It provides clarity and legal protection for healthcare providers who follow patient directives, potentially reducing the risk of legal disputes.
  • Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals and other facilities will need to adapt to the new requirements for patient-directed medical orders and ensure that their staff is trained to respect these orders.

Procedural Aspects

  • Effective Date: The bill will take effect upon becoming law, although specific implementation timelines for the database and other provisions may be established by the Agency for Health Care Administration.

Conclusion

HB 369 represents a significant step towards enhancing patient rights and ensuring that individual healthcare preferences are honored, particularly in critical situations. By establishing clear guidelines for patient-directed medical orders, the bill aims to foster a more patient-centered approach to healthcare in Florida.

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

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