PA SB1197

Repeals Section 5429 of Title 20 (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes), which currently requires life-sustaining treatment, nutrition, and hydration be provided to pregnant women who are incompetent with end-stage medical conditions or permanently unconscious, regardless of their living will or health care directive wishes

Removes the existing state mandate that overrides a pregnant woman's advance health care decisions, which previously could only be bypassed if two physicians certified the treatment would not permit live birth, would physically harm the woman, or cause unalleviated pain

Adds new optional provisions allowing individuals to include specific instructions in their living wills and health care powers of attorney regarding treatment decisions if diagnosed as pregnant

Updates the statutory example form for durable health care power of attorney and living will documents by removing pregnancy-related restrictions and making pregnancy instructions optional rather than mandatory

Requires the Department of Health to ensure licensed health care providers implement policies to notify patients of the repeal of Section 5429; act takes effect immediately upon enactment