The bill amends the "Estates and Protected Individuals Code" by introducing a new section titled "Surrogate Decision Makers for Health Care," which defines the roles and responsibilities of surrogates authorized to make health care decisions for patients unable to do so. It outlines the criteria for surrogate eligibility, establishes a hierarchy for surrogate selection, and emphasizes that surrogates must act in the best interests of the patient while adhering to specific standards of care. The bill also mandates written documentation of surrogate designation in the patient's medical record and prohibits surrogates from making decisions that could lead to the patient's death without explicit authority. Furthermore, it includes provisions for disqualifying surrogates under certain circumstances, such as posing a danger to the patient.

In addition to surrogate decision-making, the bill enhances the rights of health care providers and patient advocates regarding patient care and medical information. It requires health care providers, facilities, or agencies to comply with specific provisions and grants patient advocates and authorized decision-makers the same rights as patients to access and manage medical information. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of related legislative measures, ensuring that the new rights and compliance requirements will only take effect if those measures are approved.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-2): 700.1101, 700.8206, 400.66
House Introduced Bill: 700.1101, 700.8206, 400.66
As Passed by the House: 700.1101, 700.8206, 400.66