Simon ’ s Law – More States Consider Legislation Prohibiting Unilateral Pediatric DNR Orders

In 2017, Kansas enacted “Simon's Law,” which is directed at prohibiting unilateral DNR orders for minors. (Kan. Stat. Ann. §38-150)   Simon's Law imposes three mandates on physicians. First, a DNR order “shall not be instituted…unless at least one parent…has first been informed” and a “reasonable attempt has been made to inform the other parent.” Information about a proposed DNR order must be provided “both orally and in writing” unless the urgency of the situation precludes that. Second, Simon's Law requires the physician to contemporaneously document in the medical record when and how this notification was accomplished. Third, the law provides that “either parent…may refuse consent…either in writing or orally.” And “no [DNR] shall be instituted either orally or in writing if there has been such a refusal of consent.”  In 2019, three other states enacted similar “Simon's Law” statutes: Arizona, Missouri, and South Dakota. (Ariz. Rev. Stat Ann. §36-419; Mo. Rev. Stat. §191.250; S.D. Codified Laws Ann. §34-12F-9).  This week Simon's Law legislation was introduced in Pennsylvania (HB 2111). Like the Arizona law, the Pennsylvania bill does not require consent but only discussion of the DNR order.
Source: blog.bioethics.net - Category: Medical Ethics Authors: Tags: Health Care syndicated Source Type: blogs