BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 739

By: Johnson

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Supportive palliative care is patient-centered and family-centered health care that optimizes the quality of life of seriously ill patients and their families. Supportive palliative care treatments focus on pain and symptom comfort levels, and supportive palliative care nurses help treat a patient's pain and suffering, address patient needs, facilitate patient autonomy, and ensure a patient receives relevant information to support the patient's decision-making process. S.B. 739 seeks to raise awareness of this care and honor the workers who support seriously ill patients and their families by designating October 10th as Supportive Palliative Care Awareness Day.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 739 designates October 10 as Supportive Palliative Care Awareness Day to raise awareness about supportive palliative care optimizing the quality of life for seriously ill patients and their families. The bill authorizes Supportive Palliative Care Awareness Day to be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies and activities.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.