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, with waiting periods and opportunities to rescind the request. It mandates that both the attending physician and a consulting physician confirm the patient's terminal condition and mental capacity before proceeding. Additionally, the bill emphasizes informed consent, requiring that the written request be signed by the patient and witnessed by at least two individuals, ensuring that one witness is not a relative or associated with the patient's healthcare.

The bill also includes provisions to protect the rights of qualified patients and their healthcare providers, prohibiting health insurers from discriminating against individuals based on their participation in the act. It outlines responsibilities for healthcare providers, including recordkeeping, reporting requirements to the Department of Health, and guidelines for the disposal of unused medication. The legislation clarifies that a patient's request for medication does not constitute evidence of neglect and establishes penalties for unauthorized alterations of requests and coercion. Importantly, it amends existing law to state that assisting in self-murder will not apply to actions authorized under the Florida End-of-Life Options Act, thereby protecting individuals acting within the law from prosecution. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1700 Filed: 782.08