The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance the framework for patient-directed medical orders, particularly in palliative care for progressive illnesses. It introduces a new definition for "patient-directed medical order," which is a collaborative medical order between a principal and a healthcare provider that is portable across healthcare settings. The bill revises legislative intent to include palliative care and establishes requirements for executing these orders, including the use of telehealth for discussing treatment preferences. It mandates that necessary healthcare services must be provided regardless of decisions to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the circumstances under which emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and facility staff can withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It allows these professionals to honor do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and patient-directed medical orders executed by qualified healthcare providers, with documentation required on a specific form. Legal protections are provided for healthcare providers acting in accordance with these orders, ensuring they are not subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability. The Agency for Health Care Administration is tasked with creating a database for the storage of these orders, and professional guardians must obtain court approval before executing DNR orders, except in certain pre-approved circumstances. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 353 Filed: 765.102, 395.1041, 400.142, 400.487, 400.605, 400.6095, 400.611, 429.73, 752.001, 765.204, 765.205, 765.305