The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code as it relates to the care received by those with advance directives.
The bill would require physicians who refuse to comply with a directive or treatment to continue to provide life-sustaining treatment to a patient as outlined in the bill until that patient is transferred to another provider or facility willing to comply with the directive or treatment. The bill would repeal the 10-day period after which life-sustaining treatment would be discontinued if not transferred and would repeal associated procedures for a district or county court to extend this time period.
It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill's provisions relating to advance directives, health care, or treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients could be absorbed using existing resources.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.