House Bill 471 establishes the "Florida End-of-Life Options Act," creating a legal framework for terminally ill patients to request medication to end their lives peacefully. The bill defines key terms such as "qualified patient" and "terminal condition," and outlines eligibility criteria, which include being an adult Florida resident with mental capacity diagnosed with a terminal condition. The process for requesting medication requires two oral requests and one written request, with specific waiting periods and the ability to rescind requests at any time. Healthcare providers are tasked with recordkeeping and reporting to the Department of Health, which will publish an annual report on the act's implementation. The bill also includes protections against discrimination by health insurers and establishes penalties for violations.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions regarding the responsibilities of healthcare providers, ensuring they verify the patient's condition and mental capacity while documenting all requests in the medical record. It mandates that at least one witness to the patient's request must not have a financial interest in the patient's estate. The legislation also addresses the disposal of unused medication, stipulates that death certificates must list the terminal condition as the cause of death, and protects healthcare providers from penalties for refusing to participate in the act. It clarifies that actions taken under this chapter do not constitute suicide or homicide, thereby safeguarding providers from prosecution. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 471 Filed: 782.08