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House Bill 3074 |
House Author: Springer et al. |
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Effective: 9-1-15 |
Senate Sponsor: Schwertner et al. |
House Bill 3074 amends Health and Safety Code provisions relating to the artificial administration of nutrition and hydration and to life-sustaining treatment under the Advance Directives Act. In addition to clarifying provisions of the Advance Directives Act with respect to artificially administered nutrition and hydration, the bill requires the patient's medical record to be provided to the patient or person responsible for the patient before triggering the 10-day period after which the attending physician, another physician, and the health care facility are no longer obligated to provide life-sustaining treatment to the patient. Moreover, the bill provides for artificially administered nutrition and hydration and for treatment to enhance pain management or comfort to continue to be provided to a patient after other life-sustaining treatments have ceased, unless the provision of the nutrition or hydration would harm the patient, be medically ineffective in prolonging life, or be contrary to the patient's or surrogate's clearly documented desire not to receive artificially administered nutrition or hydration.