This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to introduce the concept of a "patient-directed medical order," which is a collaborative medical order created by a patient and their healthcare provider that is portable across different healthcare settings. It revises definitions related to advance directives and palliative care, emphasizing the importance of patient preferences regarding life-prolonging procedures. The bill establishes requirements for these orders, including the necessity for signatures from both the patient and healthcare provider, and allows for telehealth in their execution. Additionally, it provides legal protections for healthcare providers who follow these orders, ensuring they are not subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability for withholding or withdrawing life-prolonging procedures as specified.

The bill further clarifies the legal framework for withholding or withdrawing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other life-prolonging procedures, allowing emergency medical technicians, paramedics, facility staff, and professional guardians to act based on valid resuscitation orders. It mandates the creation of a database by the Agency for Health Care Administration for storing patient-directed medical orders, which can be stored electronically. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of surrogates in making healthcare decisions for patients lacking capacity, ensuring these decisions align with the patient's wishes. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 312 Filed: 765.102, 395.1041, 400.142, 400.487, 400.605, 400.6095, 400.611, 401.35, 429.255, 429.73, 752.001, 765.204, 765.205, 765.305