CS for SB 664 - Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment

• Establishes the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Program within the Department of Health to implement medical orders for patients with end-stage or life-limiting conditions likely to result in death within one year.

• Requires the Department of Health to develop a standardized POLST form that must be voluntarily executed by the patient or legal representative, signed by an examining physician, and cannot include directives regarding hydration; forms expire within one year or upon completion of treatment.

• Creates a Clearinghouse for Compassionate and Palliative Care Plans within the Agency for Health Care Administration by January 1, 2017, to electronically store, index, and allow healthcare providers secure access to end-of-life documents including advance directives and POLST forms.

• Authorizes healthcare personnel in nursing homes, hospices, assisted living facilities, emergency medical services, and other settings to withhold or withdraw cardiopulmonary resuscitation based on valid POLST forms, with immunity from civil and criminal liability for good faith compliance.

• Prohibits requiring POLST forms as a condition of treatment or admission, invalidates forms executed for payment, and clarifies that POLST forms do not affect life or health insurance contracts; effective July 1, 2016.