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HB 353

Patient-directed Medical Orders

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Susan Plasencia and 1 co-sponsor

HB 353 would let Florida patients create legally binding medical directives without physician involvement, shifting end-of-life decision authority directly to patients; died in committee.

Died in Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
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Bill Summary · HB 353

Legislative bill overview

HB 353 would establish a framework allowing patients to create binding medical directives independent of physician involvement, giving individuals direct authority to document their healthcare preferences and end-of-life decisions. The bill appears designed to expand patient autonomy in medical decision-making beyond existing advance directive mechanisms by reducing physician gatekeeping requirements.

Why is this important

Current Florida law requires physician participation in creating advance directives and do-not-resuscitate orders, which can create barriers for patients seeking to formalize their medical wishes, particularly those in rural areas or with limited healthcare access. This bill would fundamentally shift the locus of control in medical planning from a physician-patient collaborative model to a patient-centered autonomous model, potentially affecting how hospitals and care facilities implement end-of-life protocols.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical liability concerns: Healthcare providers may resist directives created without clinical input, fearing liability if they honor orders based on incomplete medical information or documentation that doesn't meet professional standards
  • Implementation and verification challenges: Without physician involvement, determining patient decision-making capacity and distinguishing valid directives from coerced or outdated documents could create operational difficulties for emergency responders and medical teams
  • Conflict with existing medical ethics frameworks: The bill may clash with established protocols requiring physician consultation, potentially creating confusion about which directives take precedence and complicating staff training across healthcare systems

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

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