The bill amends Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to enhance the framework for health care directives, specifically focusing on Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). It broadens the applicability of advance health care directives to include out-of-hospital nonresuscitation orders and POLST, while updating definitions for key terms such as "health care provider" and "medical command physician." The legislation introduces new provisions regarding the issuance, revocation, and recognition of out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate (OOH-DNR) orders, and repeals the requirement for an advisory committee that previously evaluated standardized forms for medical treatment orders. It establishes that OOH-DNR orders cannot be executed after the department adopts an initial POLST form, while still recognizing previously executed OOH-DNR orders as valid.

Additionally, the bill outlines the establishment of a POLST Advisory Committee to oversee the program's development and implementation, ensuring that committee members possess relevant expertise. It mandates voluntary consent from patients or their surrogates for POLST validity and emphasizes that POLST is not intended for individuals with stable medical conditions. The bill also clarifies the requirements for valid POLST forms, including options for medical orders and the recognition of electronic copies as valid. It includes provisions for emergency medical services to comply with POLST directives, outlines immunity protections for health care providers acting in good faith, and establishes a study to explore the feasibility of an Internet-based POLST registry, ultimately aiming to improve the clarity and effectiveness of end-of-life care decisions in Pennsylvania.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1400 (Apr 17, 2025): 20-5421(a), P.L.164, No.45
Printer's No. 1400: 20-5421(a), P.L.164, No.45