Senate Bill 356 Summary

• Creates the Arkansas Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act establishing a standardized form for physician orders regarding life-sustaining medical treatment that is signed by both patient (or legal representative) and physician.

• Requires the State Board of Health to prescribe a standardized POLST form that is easily recognizable and includes patient name, date of birth, cardiopulmonary resuscitation intentions, and level of medical interventions desired in medical emergencies.

• Healthcare providers and facilities must comply with executed POLST forms except when treatment is medically ineffective, contrary to accepted standards, or conflicts with provider/facility religious beliefs or moral convictions (with transfer requirements).

• Prohibits requiring individuals to execute a POLST form as a condition of insurance or healthcare services, and establishes criminal penalties (Class D felony) for concealing, canceling, or fraudulently obtaining POLST forms.

• Establishes that POLST forms complement but do not replace advance directives, with the most recently executed document taking precedence in case of conflict, and clarifies that compliance with POLST does not constitute suicide or affect life insurance policies.