New Legal Developments Regarding the Right to Die

Here are just some of the highlights of our upcoming second 2018 update to The Right to Die: The Law of End-of-Life Decisionmaking.  This supplement covers the most recent legal developments—judicial cases, legislation, and news accounts of important legal proceedings that are not officially reported—concerning end-of-life decisionmaking.  Enactment of the “Our Care, Our Choice Act,” making Hawaii the seventh U.S. jurisdiction to legalize medical aid in dying with a statute modeled on the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. An amendment to the California penal code, clarifying that individuals acting in compliance with the End of Life Options Act cannot be prosecuted for assisted suicide. Repeal of a Connecticut statute that had long wholly nullified the advance directives of pregnant patients. Enactment of an innovative Alabama statute, mandating the regulatory development of a portable DNR order for minors, a Pediatric Palliative and End of Life Care Order (PPEL). Enactment of a default surrogate statute in Nebraska. An amendment to the Vermont advance directive statute, expanding who can explain and witness advance directives that are completed in institutional settings. An amendment to the Vermont POLST statute, permitting out-of-state clinicians to complete and sign POLST forms for Vermont patients. An amendment to the California advance directive form that clarifies by agreeing to make an organ or tissue donation, the donor consents to any t...
Source: blog.bioethics.net - Category: Medical Ethics Authors: Tags: Health Care syndicated Source Type: blogs