The proposed bill establishes Chapter 764 of the Florida Statutes, titled "Personal Autonomy," which introduces the Florida End-of-Life Options Act. This legislation allows qualified patients—defined as adults with mental capacity who are residents of Florida and diagnosed with a terminal condition—to request medication to end their lives peacefully. The bill outlines specific criteria for these requests, including the requirement for two oral requests and one written request, along with waiting periods and the opportunity for patients to rescind their requests at any time. It mandates that attending and consulting physicians must not have any familial ties to the patient or financial interests in the patient's estate. Additionally, the bill emphasizes informed decision-making and mental capacity assessments, while ensuring healthcare providers can establish policies regarding participation in the act.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to protect healthcare providers from penalties for refusing to participate in the act, clarifying that a patient's request for medication does not constitute evidence of neglect. It establishes guidelines for the disposal of unused medication, mandates thorough documentation of the process, and requires that death certificates reflect the underlying terminal condition rather than the prescribed medication as the cause of death. The bill also stipulates that any governmental entity incurring costs due to a person terminating their life in a public place has a claim against the deceased's estate for recovery of those costs. Overall, the legislation aims to create a structured and ethical framework for end-of-life decisions while safeguarding the rights and dignity of qualified patients, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1700 Filed: 782.08