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Bill

Bill

S 8395

Relates to orders not to resuscitate and decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment and hospice care

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Samra Brouk

Bill S 8395 clarifies DNR orders and enhances patient rights in end-of-life care, ensuring their preferences are respected by healthcare providers and facilities.

ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
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Bill Summary · S 8395

Summary of Bill S 8395

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 8395 aims to clarify and enhance the legal framework surrounding orders not to resuscitate (DNR) and decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment and hospice care. The bill seeks to ensure that patients' rights and preferences are respected in end-of-life care decisions, while also providing clear guidelines for healthcare providers.

Key Provisions

  • DNR Orders: The bill establishes clearer criteria for the issuance and recognition of DNR orders, ensuring that they are honored across healthcare settings.
  • Patient Autonomy: It emphasizes the importance of patient autonomy in making decisions about life-sustaining treatments, allowing individuals to refuse such treatments based on their personal values and wishes.
  • Healthcare Provider Guidelines: The bill provides specific guidelines for healthcare providers on how to implement DNR orders and respect patient decisions regarding hospice care.
  • Documentation Requirements: It mandates that healthcare facilities maintain accurate documentation of DNR orders and patient preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment.

Affected Parties

  • Patients and Families: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are patients facing end-of-life decisions and their families, who will have clearer rights and protections.
  • Healthcare Providers: Hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare professionals will be impacted as they will need to adhere to the new guidelines and documentation requirements set forth in the bill.
  • Hospice Care Facilities: These facilities will also be affected as they will need to align their practices with the updated legal framework regarding patient treatment preferences.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: June 07, 2025
  • Legislative Actions:
    • June 10, 2025: Ordered to third reading and passed in the Senate.
    • June 10, 2025: Delivered to the Assembly and referred to the Health Committee.
    • June 07, 2025: Initially referred to the Rules Committee.

Related Legislation

  • S 7507: This bill is related to a prior session's legislation that may have addressed similar issues regarding end-of-life care and patient rights.

Conclusion

Bill S 8395 represents a significant step towards ensuring that patients' wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment and DNR orders are respected and clearly understood within the healthcare system. By establishing comprehensive guidelines, the bill aims to enhance patient autonomy and improve the quality of end-of-life care.

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

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