This bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes related to the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, particularly in the context of hospice care and the certification of death. It revises who may file a certificate of death or fetal death, allowing not only funeral directors but also physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) providing hospice care under a written protocol with a licensed physician to do so. The definition of "primary or attending practitioner" is expanded to include these healthcare providers, thereby clarifying their roles in the medical certification of cause of death. Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the hospice care team and emphasizes the collaborative nature of care planning between the hospice team and the patient's primary or attending practitioner.

Furthermore, the bill updates the procedures for withholding or withdrawing resuscitation efforts, allowing emergency medical technicians and paramedics to act based on orders not to resuscitate from a broader range of healthcare providers, including APRNs. The amendments aim to streamline processes in hospice care and ensure that patients receive appropriate end-of-life care while clarifying the legal responsibilities of healthcare professionals involved in these critical decisions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 998 Filed: 401.45