House Bill 353 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 collaboratively created by a principal and a healthcare provider and is designed to be portable across healthcare settings. The bill revises the legislative intent to include palliative care and establishes requirements for executing these orders, including the use of telehealth for discussions about treatment preferences. It also mandates that necessary healthcare services must be provided regardless of decisions to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures.

The bill provides legal protections for healthcare providers, allowing them to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures without penalties if they are acting in accordance with a valid patient-directed medical order or an order not to resuscitate (DNR). It requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to create a database for storing these medical orders and emphasizes the need for written consent from surrogates for executing DNR orders. The changes aim to streamline the process for honoring patient wishes regarding end-of-life care while ensuring legal safeguards for healthcare providers involved in these critical decisions. The act is 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