HB 2617 Summary

• Creates the "Nondiscrimination in Treatment Act" to prohibit health care providers from denying life-preserving health care services based on the patient's age, disability status, or terminal illness.

• Defines key terms: health care provider (licensed/authorized persons), health care service (medical care and treatment), and life-preserving health care service (services that will result in or hasten death if denied).

• Prohibits denial of life-preserving services on grounds that extending life for elderly, disabled, or terminally ill individuals is less valuable than for younger, nondisabled, or non-terminally ill patients.

• Establishes a private right of action for injunctive relief allowing affected patients or authorized decision-makers to sue health care providers for violations.

• Effective date: November 1, 2012.