Senate Bill 39 establishes a Palliative Care Council within the Department of Health Services (DHS) in Wisconsin. The council will consist of up to 22 members, including medical professionals with expertise in palliative care, patients or family members with experience in receiving such care, and representatives from health care insurance and the DHS. The council is tasked with advising DHS on various aspects of palliative care, including outcome evaluations of existing programs, the effectiveness of palliative care alongside curative treatments, and reimbursement mechanisms for these services. Importantly, the council is prohibited from consulting on issues related to physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Additionally, the bill mandates that DHS, in consultation with the council, create a statewide information and education program about palliative care, ensuring that comprehensive resources are available to the public and health care providers. The council is required to submit biennial reports to the legislature on access to palliative care and its impact on health care delivery systems and families. The bill emphasizes the importance of statewide representation and geographic diversity in the council's membership and meetings.