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's primary responsibilities include advising DHS on the evaluation of palliative care programs, assessing the economic and quality of life effectiveness of palliative care alongside curative treatments, and addressing reimbursement mechanisms for these services. Importantly, the council is prohibited from consulting on matters related to physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Additionally, the bill mandates that DHS, in collaboration with the council, create a statewide information and education program about palliative care, ensuring that resources are accessible 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 council meetings to enhance the quality and accessibility of palliative care across Wisconsin.