SRC-JBJ S.B. 1260 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1260
By: Moncrief
State Affairs
6/21/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, a person may execute an out-of-hospital do not resuscitate (DNR)
order, or advance directive. The regulations governing the execution of a
DNR order are spread across Chapters 672 and 674, Health and Safety Code,
and Chapter 135, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.  Although these three
chapters use the same terminology and have repetitive provisions, they
maintain inconsistences that confuse individuals who want to develop
advance directives and confuse providers who must carry out the directives.
Consolidating the chapters would reduce the confusion while setting forth
uniform provisions governing the execution of an advance directive.  S.B.
1260 will amend law regarding an advance directive for medical treatment
and provide for administrative penalties. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1260 amends law regarding an advance directive for
medical treatment and provides administrative penalties. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.01.  Amends Title 2H, Health and Safety Code, by adding a chapter
heading to Chapter 166, as follows: 
CHAPTER 166.  ADVANCE DIRECTIVES 

SECTION 1.02.  Amends Title 2H, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter
166A, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL DIRECTIONS 

 Sec. 166.001. SHORT TITLE:  Advance Directives Act.

Sec. 166.002.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "advance directive," "artificial
nutrition and hydration," "attending physician," "competent," "declarant,"
"ethics or medical committee," "incompetent," "irreversible condition,"
"life-sustaining treatment," "medical power of attorney," "physician,"
"terminal condition," and "witness." 

Sec. 166.003.  WITNESSES.  Provides that in any circumstance in which this
chapter requires the execution of an advance director or a nonwritten
advance directive to be witnessed, each witness must be an adult and at
least one of the witnesses must be a person who is not certain designated
persons. 

Sec. 166.004.  STATEMENT RELATING TO ADVANCE DIRECTIVE.  Defines "health
care provider."  Requires a health care provider to maintain written
policies containing clear and precise statements of any procedure the
provider is unwilling or unable to withhold in accordance with an advance
directive.  Requires the provider to provide written notice of the policies
to an individual.  Sets forth times when the notice must be provided.  Sets
forth an order of preference for providing the notice if the individual is
incompetent or incapacitated.  Provides that the provider is not required
to provide the notice if after a diligent search the provider is unable to
locate a preferred individual.  Requires the provider to provide the notice
to the incompetent or incapacitated person if the person becomes able to
receive the notice.  Provides  that this section does not apply to
outpatient hospital services, including emergency services. 

Sec. 166.005.  ENFORCEABILITY OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES EXECUTED IN ANOTHER
JURISDICTION.  Requires an advance directive or similar instrument validly
executed in another state or jurisdiction to be given the same effect as an
advance directive validly executed under the law of this state.  Provides
that this section does not authorize the administration, withholding, or
withdrawal of health care otherwise prohibited by the state.   

Sec. 166.006.  EFFECT OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVE ON INSURANCE POLICY AND
PREMIUMS.  Provides that the fact that a person executed or issued an
advance directive does not hinder or modify a life insurance policy.
Provides that if a life-sustaining treatment is withheld or withdrawn from
an insured qualified patient does not legally impair or invalidate the
person's life insurance policy, and may not be a factor for determining
benefits or cause of death.  Prohibits the consideration of whether or not
a person has executed or issued an advance directive from being considered
in establishing insurance premiums. 

Sec. 166.007.  EXECUTION OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVE MAY NOT BE REQUIRED.
Prohibits a physician, a health facility, health care provider, insurer, or
health care service plan from requiring a person to execute or issue an
advance directive as a condition for obtaining insurance for health care
services or receiving health care services. 

Sec. 166.008.  CONFLICT BETWEEN ADVANCE DIRECTIVES.  Provides that a
treatment decision made or instrument executed later in time controls when
a decision or a directive conflicts with another decision or directive. 

Sec. 166.009.  CERTAIN LIFE-SUSTAINING TREATMENT NOT REQUIRED.  Prohibits
this chapter from being construed to require a life-sustaining treatment
provision that cannot be provided to a patient without denying the same
treatment to another party. 

SECTION 1.03.  Redesignates Chapter 672, Health and Safety Code, as Chapter
166B, Title 2H, Health and Safety Code, as follows:   

SUBCHAPTER B.  DIRECTIVE TO PHYSICIAN.  

Sec. 166.031.  DEFINITIONS.  Redefines "directive" and "qualified patient."
Deletes the definitions of "attending physician," "competent," "declarant,"
"incompetent," "life-sustaining treatment" "physician," and "terminal
condition." 

Sec. 166.032.  WRITTEN DIRECTIVE BY COMPETENT ADULT; NOTICE TO PHYSICIAN.
Requires a declarant to sign the directive in the presence of two
witnesses, at least one of whom must qualify under Section 166.003(2).
Deletes text prohibiting certain persons from being a witness.   Deletes
comatose from the conditions that allows a declarant to execute a certain
treatment decision and require a declarant to notify the attending
physician of the directive.  Makes conforming changes 

Sec. 166.033.  FORM OF WRITTEN DIRECTIVE.  Suggests a form that may be used
for a written directive to physicians and family surrogates.  Deletes a
suggested form for a directive to physicians. 

Sec. 166.034.  ISSUANCE OF NONWRITTEN DIRECTIVE BY COMPETENT ADULT
QUALIFIED PATIENT.  Requires the declarant to issue a nonwritten directive
in the presence of an attending physician and two witnesses, at least one
of whom must be a witness who qualifies under Section 166.003(2), rather
than Section 672.003(c).  Requires the names of the witnesses to be entered
in the medical record, rather than signed in the record.  Makes conforming
changes. 

Sec. 166.035.  EXECUTION OF DIRECTIVE ON BEHALF OF PATIENT YOUNGER THAN 18
YEARS OF AGE.  Makes a conforming change. 

Sec. 166.036.  NOTARIZED DOCUMENT NOT REQUIRED; REQUIREMENT OF SPECIFIC
FORM PROHIBITED.  Provides that a written directive executed under Section
166.033 or 166.035 is effective without notarization, and a physician,
health care facility, or health care professional may not require a
directive to be notarized or a person to use a form provided by the health
professionals.  

 Sec. 166.037.  PATIENT DESIRE SUPERSEDES DIRECTIVE.  Makes conforming
changes. 

Sec. 166.038.  PROCEDURE WHEN DECLARANT IS INCOMPETENT OR INCAPABLE OF
COMMUNICATION.  Authorizes certain physicians to make a treatment decision
in accordance with the declarant's directions, rather than a decision to
withhold or withdraw life sustaining procedures from the patient.  Deletes
comatose from the provision that makes this section apply to certain
incompetent or incapacitated adults.  Makes conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.039.  PROCEDURE WHEN PERSON HAS NOT EXECUTED OR ISSUED A DIRECTIVE
AND IS INCOMPETENT OR INCAPABLE OF COMMUNICATION. Authorizes a physician,
designated person, or an agent under a durable power of attorney to make a
decision to withhold or withdraw a life-sustaining treatment, rather than a
life-sustaining procedure, if a patient is incompetent or incapable of
communication.  Permits an authorized physician and certain individuals to
make a treatment decision, if the patient does not have a legal guardian or
an agent under a medical power of attorney.   Requires certain treatment
decisions to be concurred, rather than witnessed, by another physician who
is not involved in the treatment or who is an authorized representative of
the ethics committee of the health care facility in which the person is a
patient.  Requires a person listed in Subsection (b) who wishes to
challenge a treatment decision to apply for temporary guardianship under
Section 875, Texas Probate Code.  Authorizes the court to waive applicable
fees.   Deletes text requiring the majority of the patient's reasonably
available adult children to make a treatment decision. Makes conforming
changes.   

Sec. 166.040.  PATIENT CERTIFICATION AND PREREQUISITES FOR COMPLYING WITH
DIRECTIVE.  Requires steps, policies, and other procedures to be made in
accord with this subchapter, rather than chapter.  Requires certain
physicians to provide a declarant with a directive a certification as a
qualified patient on the diagnosis of a terminal or irreversible condition.
Deletes text that requires a physician to make certain determinations prior
to withholding life-sustaining treatments.  Makes conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.041.  DURATION OF DIRECTIVE.  Makes conforming changes.

 Sec. 166.042.  REVOCATION OF DIRECTIVE.  Makes conforming changes.

Sec. 166.043.  REEXECUTION OF DIRECTIVE.  Deletes existing Section 672.043
regarding effect of directive on insurance policy and premiums.  Makes
conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.044.  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR WITHHOLDING OR WITHDRAWING
LIFE-SUSTAINING PROCEDURES.  Provides that a health professional or health
care facility is not civilly liable for certain actions taken unless the
physician or health care facility fails to exercise reasonable care when
applying the patient's advance directive, rather than liable unless
negligent.  Requires the standard of care to be what certain other health
professionals would similarly exercise under ordinary prudence and skill in
the same or a similar community. Makes conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.045.  LIABILITY FOR FAILURE TO EFFECTUATE DIRECTIVE.  Provides
that certain health professionals are subject to review and disciplinary
action by the appropriate licensing board, rather than providing that they
are not civilly or criminally liable for certain reasons, for certain
violations.  Provides that this subchapter does not limit other remedies.
Requires life-sustaining treatment to be provided to a person who does not
wish the treatment, if a physician does not wish to follow certain
directives, but only until a reasonable opportunity has been afforded for
the transfer of the patient to another physician or health care facility
willing to comply with the directive.  Provides that the physician or
facility is not civilly or criminally liable or subject to review or
disciplinary action by the person's appropriate licensing board if the
person has complied with the procedures outlined in this section.   

Sec. 166.046.  PROCEDURE IF NOT EFFECTUATING A DIRECTIVE.  Requires the
physician's refusal to honor a directive to be reviewed by an ethics or
medical committee. Prohibits the physician from being a member of the
committee.  Requires the patient to be given life-sustaining treatment
during the review.  Establishes that the person or physician responsible
for the care of the patient in questions shall be informed of the
committee's actions and is entitled to attend the meetings and a written
explanation of the decision.  Requires the decision to be included in the
patient's medical records.  Requires the responsible person to make a
reasonable effort to transfer the patient, in order to accommodate the
directive.  Requires a facility's personnel to assist in transferring the
patient.  Requires other life-sustaining treatment for a patient until a
facility transfer is successful if the patient request inappropriate
treatment. Provides that the physician and facility are not obligated to
treatment after a certain date of the written decision.  Prohibits the
treatment from being entered into the patient's medical record as medically
unnecessary treatment until a certain date.  Requires certain courts to
extend the required time period at the request of the responsible person,
only if certain conditions are met. Prohibits this section from being
construed to impose an obligation on a facility or a home and community
support services agency licensed under Chapter 142 or similar organization
that is beyond the scope of the services or resources of the facility or
agency.  Provides that this section does not apply to hospice services
provided by a home or community support services agency licensed under
Chapter 142.   

Sec. 166.047.  HONORING DIRECTIVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OFFENSE OF AIDING
SUICIDE.  Makes conforming changes. 

 Sec. 166.048.  CRIMINAL PENALTY; PROSECUTION.  Makes a conforming change.

 Sec. 166.049.  PREGNANT PATIENTS.  Makes conforming changes.  

 Sec. 166.050.  MERCY KILLING NOT CONDONED.  Makes conforming changes.

Sec. 166.051.  LEGAL RIGHT OR RESPONSIBILITY NOT AFFECTED.  Provides that
this chapter does not impair certain legal rights, provided that the
withholding or withdrawal of lifesustaining treatment may be affected by
certain conditions. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 1.04.  Redesignates Chapter 674, Health and Safety Code, as Chapter
166C, Title 2H, Health and Safety Code, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER C.  New heading:  OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDERS

Sec. 166.081.  DEFINITIONS.  Redefines "DNR identification device,"
"out-of-hospital DNR order," "proxy," "qualified relatives," and "statewide
out-of-hospital DNR protocol."  Deletes definitions for "attending
physician," "board," "competent," "declarant," "department," "durable power
of attorney for health care," "incompetent," "life sustaining procedure,"
"physician," and "terminal condition."  Makes conforming changes.    

Sec. 166.082.  OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DNR ORDER; DIRECTIVE TO PHYSICIANS. Requires
a declarant to sign an out-of-hospital do not resuscitate (DNR) order in
the presence of two witnesses, at least one of whom must be a witness who
qualifies under Section 166.003.  Authorizes a proxy to make a decision, if
an incompetent person previously executed a directive to physicians in
accordance with Subchapter B, rather than Chapter 672.  Deletes a reference
to Chapter 135, Civil Practices and Remedies Code, in a provision requiring
an agent to make a decision  regarding an incompetent person who executed a
durable power of attorney for health care.  Deletes a requirement that a
witness must have the same qualifications under Section 672.003(c).
Deletes a provision qualifying a competent person as a person who has been
diagnosed by a physician as having a terminal illness.  Makes conforming
changes. 

Sec. 166.083.  FORM OF OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DNR ORDER.  Requires a form to
include certain physicians, a separate section for execution of the
document by at least one, rather than two, qualified relatives, and a
statement that allows certain persons to make certain decisions. Authorizes
a photocopy of the DNR order to be used for the same purpose as the
original DNR order.  Deletes text regarding a physician's diagnosis on the
form required for an out-of-hospital DNR order.  Makes conforming and
nonsubstantive changes. 

 Sec. 166.084.  ISSUANCE OF OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DNR ORDER BY NONWRITTEN
COMMUNICATION.  Requires a witness in certain DNR orders to be made in the
presence of an attending physician and two witnesses, at least one of whom
must be a qualified witness under Section 166.003.  Requires the names of
the witnesses to be entered in the medical record, rather than require the
witnesses to sign the medical record.  Deletes text that requires the
witness to have certain qualifications.  Makes conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.085.  EXECUTION OF OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DNR ORDER ON BEHALF OF A MINOR.
Makes a conforming change. 

Sec. 166.086.  DESIRE OF PERSON SUPERSEDES OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DNR ORDER. Makes
a conforming change. 

Sec. 166.087.  PROCEDURE WHEN DECLARANT IS INCOMPETENT OR INCAPABLE OF
COMMUNICATION.  Makes conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.088.  PROCEDURE WHEN PERSON HAS NOT EXECUTED OR ISSUED
OUTOF-HOSPITAL DNR ORDER AND IS INCOMPETENT OR INCAPABLE OF COMMUNICATION.
Authorizes an attending physician and at least one, rather than two,
qualified relatives to execute a DNR order, if a person does not have a
durable power of attorney for health care.   Authorizes certain physicians
to concur in a DNR order when certain relatives are not available.
Requires a person who wishes to challenge the decision to apply for
temporary guardianship.  Makes conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.089.  COMPLIANCE WITH OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DNR ORDER.  Requires the DNR
form or a copy of the form to accompany the person during transport.  Makes
conforming changes. 

 Sec. 166.090.  DNR IDENTIFICATION DEVICE.  Makes conforming changes.  

 Sec. 166.091.  DURATION OF OUT-OF-HOSPITAL ORDER.  Makes conforming
changes. 

Sec. 166.092.  REVOCATION OF OUT-OF-HOSPITAL ORDER.  Makes conforming
changes. 

Sec. 166.093.  REEXECUTION OF OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DNR ORDER.  Makes conforming
changes.  Deletes existing Section 674.014 regarding conflict with natural
death act or durable power of attorney for health care; and Section 674.015
regarding effect of out of hospital DNR order on insurance policy and
premiums.  Makes conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.094.  LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR WITHHOLDING CARDIOPULMONARY
RESUSCITATION AND CERTAIN OTHER LIFE-SUSTAINING PROCEDURES.  Makes
conforming changes.   

Sec. 166.095.  LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR FAILURE TO EFFECTUATE
OUT-OFHOSPITAL DNR ORDER.  Makes health professionals, health care
facilities, and other entities subject to review and disciplinary action by
the appropriate licensing board, rather than not civilly or criminally
liable.   Provides that this section does not limit remedies available
under other laws.  Makes a conforming change. 

Sec. 166.096.  HONORING OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DNR ORDER DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
OFFENSE OF AIDING SUICIDE.  Makes conforming changes. 

 Sec. 166.097.  CRIMINAL PENALTY; PROSECUTION.  Makes conforming changes.

 Sec. 166.098.  PREGNANT PERSONS.  Makes conforming changes.

 Sec. 166.099.  MERCY KILLING NOT CONDONED.  Makes conforming changes.  

Sec. 166.100.  LEGAL RIGHT OR RESPONSIBILITY NOT AFFECTED.  Makes
conforming changes. 
 
Sec. 166.101.  DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT AND BOARD.  Deletes existing Section
674.024 regarding recognition of an out-of-hospital DNR order executed or
issued in other state.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 1.05.  Redesignates Chapter 135, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
as Chapter 166D, Title 2H, Health and Safety Code, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER D.  New heading:  DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

Sec. 166.151.  DEFINITIONS.  Deletes definitions for "attending physician,"
"capacity to make health care decisions," durable power of attorney for
health care," "health care decision," and "physician."  Makes conforming
changes. 

Sec. 166.152.  SCOPE AND DURATION OF AUTHORITY.  Authorizes certain agents
to make certain decisions on behalf of a principal if the principal were
competent, rather than make a decision on behalf of the principal who could
make the decision but for the principal's lack of capacity to make health
care decisions.  Requires a principal's attending physician to take certain
action to inform the principal before implementing an agent's advance
directive. Makes conforming changes.   

Sec. 166.153.  PERSONS WHO MAY NOT EXERCISE AUTHORITY OF AGENT.  Makes a
conforming change. 

Sec. 166.154.  EXECUTION AND WITNESSES.  Requires a witness to sign the
document. Deletes text prohibiting and requiring the witness to take
certain actions regarding the document.  Makes conforming changes.  

Sec. 166.155.  REVOCATION.  Provides that durable power of attorney by a
health care provider is revoked by oral or written notification at any time
by the principal to the agent, regardless of whether the principal is
competent or the principal's mental state, rather than regardless of
competency or capacity to make health care decisions.  Provides that the
power of attorney is revoked by the divorce of the principal and spouse, if
the spouse is the principal's agent, unless the durable power of attorney
provides otherwise.  Makes a conforming change. 

 Sec. 166.156.  APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN.  Makes a conforming change.  

 Sec. 166.157.  DISCLOSURE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION.  Makes a conforming
change. 

Sec. 166.158.  DUTY OF HEALTH OR RESIDENTIAL CARE PROVIDER.  Establishes in
which circumstances the procedures established under Sections 166.145 and
166.046 apply. Makes conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.159.  DISCRIMINATION RELATING TO EXECUTION OF DURABLE POWER OF
ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE.  Makes a conforming change. 

Sec. 166.160.  LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.  Requires the standard of care to
be what certain other health professionals would similarly exercise under
ordinary prudence and skill. Makes conforming changes. 

Sec. 166.161.  LIABILITY FOR HEALTH CARE COSTS. Deletes existing Section
135.012 regarding a natural death act and Section 135.103 regarding
enforceability of durable power of attorney executed in another
jurisdiction.  Makes a conforming change. 

 Sec. 166.162.  DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.  Makes a conforming change.

Sec. 166.163.  FORM OF DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.  Changes the title of the form
to "Information concerning the medical power of attorney" from "Information
concerning the durable power of attorney for health care."   Provides that
an agent's authority begins when a person lacks the competence, rather than
the capacity, to make health care decisions.  Provides that the power of
attorney is not valid unless it is signed in the presence of two competent
adult witnesses, rather than two or more qualified witnesses.  Provides
that certain people may not act  as one of the witnesses, including a
person related by blood or marriage, a person entitled to any part of the
estate after death, attending physician, an employee of the attending
physician, an employee of certain health care facilities, and a person who
has a claim against the estate. Deletes individuals disqualified from being
a witness, including the health or residential care provider or an employee
of the provider, the spouse, lawful heirs or beneficiaries named in the
will, and creditors or persons who have a claim.   

Sec. 166.164.  FORM OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY.  Sets forth a statement
required from the first witness.  Deletes text regarding the statement of
witnesses.  Makes nonsubstantive and conforming changes.   

Sec. 166.165.  CIVIL ACTION.  Makes conforming changes.

Sec. 166.166.  OTHER RIGHTS OR RESPONSIBILITIES NOT AFFECTED.  Makes
conforming changes. 

ARTICLE 2.  CONFORMING AMENDMENTS

SECTION 2.01.  Amends Section 313.003(a), Health and Safety Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.02.  Amends Chapter 142A, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Section 142.0145, as follows: 

Sec. 142.0145.  VIOLATION OF LAW RELATING TO ADVANCE DIRECTIVES. Requires
the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to assess an administrative penalty
against a home and community support agency that violates Section 166.004.
Requires the penalty to be $500 and to be assessed in accordance with TDH
rules that provide for notice and an opportunity for hearing.  

SECTION 2.03.  Amends Subsections (a) and (c), Section 241.059, Health and
Safety Code, to require the commissioner of health to assess an
administrative penalty against a hospital that violates Section 166.004.
Requires the penalty for a violation of Sections 166.004 to be $500.
Authorizes each day of a continuing violation, other than a Section 166.004
violation, to be considered a separate violation. 

SECTION 2.04.  Amends Chapter 242C, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Section 242.0663, as follows: 

Sec. 242.0663.  VIOLATION OF LAW RELATING TO ADVANCE DIRECTIVES. Requires
TDH to assess an administrative penalty under this subchapter against an
institution that violates Section 166.004.  Requires the penalty to be
$500, but not assessed for a separate day of a continuing violation.
Provides that Section 242.0665 does not apply to a penalty assessed in
accordance with this section. 

SECTION 2.05.  Amends Chapter 247C, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Section 247.0455, as follows: 

Sec. 247.0455.  VIOLATION OF LAW RELATING TO ADVANCE DIRECTIVES.  Makes
conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.06.  Amends Chapter 248C, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Section 248.0545, as follows: 

Sec. 248.0545.  VIOLATION OF LAW RELATING TO ADVANCE DIRECTIVES.  Makes
conforming changes. 

ARTICLE 3.  TRANSITION AND EMERGENCY CLAUSE

SECTION 3.01. Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.02.  (a)  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 (b)  Provides that a reference in law made to a durable power of attorney
for health care means a medical power of attorney. 

SECTION 3.04.  Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2000.

SECTION 3.05.  Emergency clause.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.02.

Amends proposed Section 166.001, Health and Safety Code, to add definitions
for "artificial nutrition and hydration," "ethics or medical committee,"
"irreversible condition," "lifesustaining treatment," "medical power of
attorney," and "witness"; and to redefine proposed definitions "physician"
and "terminal condition."  Deletes proposed definitions "durable power of
attorney for health care" and "life-sustaining procedure."  

Amends proposed Section 166.003, Health and Safety Code, to add that each
witness must be a competent adult in regards to a witness for an advance
directive or the issuance of a nonwritten advance directive to be
witnessed. 

Amends proposed Section 166.004, Health and Safety Code, to include in an
order of preference to execute certain written notices a person who is
responsible for the health care of an individual.  Makes additional
nonsubstantive changes. 

Amends proposed Section 166.006, Health and Safety Code, to prohibit the
benefits of a person from becoming affected by the person's choice to
obtain the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. 

Amends proposed Chapter 166A, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
166.009, regarding certain life-sustaining treatment not required. 

SECTION 1.03.  

Amends Section 166.031, Health and Safety Code, by redefining the amended
definitions for "directive" and "qualified patient."  

Amends Section 166.033, Health and Safety Code, to add a written directive,
and to set forth a directive to physicians and family or surrogates, and to
delete a directive that sets forth the directive to physicians. 

Amends Section 166.034, Health and Safety Code, to specify the section
(Section 166.003(2)) under which a witness must qualify. 

Amends Section 166.038, Health and Safety Code, to change the conditions
under which certain physicians may make a treatment decision. 

Amends Section 166.039, Health and Safety Code, to change the durable power
of attorney to a medical power of attorney and to change life-sustaining
procedures for life-sustaining treatments. 

Amends Section 166.040, Health and Safety Code, to include an irreversible
condition of which certain physicians must provide a certification as a
qualified patient to a declarant with a directive. 

Amends Sections 166.043-166.043, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming
changes. 

Amends Section 166.045, Health and Safety Code, to change the heading and
to make an conforming change. 

 Adds Section 166.046, Health and Safety Code, to add provision regarding
directive procedures. 

Renumbers original Sections 672.017-672.021, Health and Safety Code, to
Sections 166.047166.051, and to make conforming changes. 

Amends Section 166.051, Health and Safety Code, to provide that the right
to effect the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment may be
affected by certain conditions. 

SECTION 1.04.  

Amends redesignated Section 166.081, Health and Safety Code, to redefine
"cardiopulmonary resuscitation" and "out-of-hospital setting." 

Amends Section 166.082, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming change.

Amends Section 166.083, Health and Safety Code, to include criteria to the
minimum standards for an out-of-hospital DNR order specified by the board,
and to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

Amends Section 166.084, Health and Safety Code, to require the names of the
witnesses to be entered into the medical record.   

Amends Section 166.088, Health and Safety Code, to authorize certain
physicians to concur in a DNR order when certain relatives are not
available.  Makes conforming changes.   

 Amends Section 166.089-166.101, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming
changes. 

SECTION 1.05.

 Amends Section 166.151, Health and Safety Code, to redefine "agent" and
"principal."   

Amends Section 166.152, Health and Safety Code, to require a principal's
attending physician to take certain action to inform the principal before
implementing an agent's advance directive. makes conforming changes. 

Amends Sections 166.154-166.157, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming
changes.   

Amends Section 166.158, Health and Safety Code, to establish in which
circumstances Sections 166.145 and 166.046 apply, and to make conforming
changes. 

Amends Sections 166.159-166.160 and 166.162, Health and Safety Code, to
make conforming changes. 

Amends Section 166.163, Health and Safety Code, to change the heading to
the suggested form of disclosure statement.  Provides that an agent's
authority begins when a person lacks the competence, rather than the
capacity, to make health care decisions. Makes conforming and
nonsubstantive changes.   

Amends Sections 166.164-166.166, Health and Safety Code, to make conforming
changes. 

SECTION 3.01.

 Changes the effective date from January 1, 2000 to September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.02.

Adds a provisions that a reference in law made to a durable power of
attorney for health care means a medical power of attorney. 
SECTION 3.04.
 
 Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2000. 

 Redesignates proposed SECTION 3.04 as SECTION 3.05.