NY A09647

Amends the definition of "health care" to exclude oral nutrition and hydration without medical treatment from being subject to health care proxy and end-of-life decision statutes.

Updates references throughout the Public Health Law to replace "mental retardation" with "developmental disabilities" and standardizes terminology for appointing guardians under the Mental Hygiene Law and Surrogate's Court Procedure Act.

Expands the list of healthcare professionals who may be consulted by health care agents to include physician assistants and nurse practitioners, and adds licensed master social workers to the definition of "health or social services practitioners."

Requires documentation in medical records of determinations that patients lack decision-making capacity and mandates diligent efforts to notify family members before withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment for emancipated minors.

Authorizes alternative forms for nonhospital do-not-resuscitate orders and allows identification through bracelets or other articles, while prohibiting healthcare providers from requiring such items as conditions for honoring the orders.