|
Senate Bill 651 |
Senate Author: Rodriguez |
|
Effective: See below |
House Sponsor: Thompson, Senfronia |
Senate Bill 651 amends the Health and Safety Code to revise the medical power of attorney form to provide the principal the option of signing the form and having the signature acknowledged before a notary public in lieu of signing the form in the presence of two competent adult witnesses for the power of attorney to be valid. The bill also revises the related disclosure statement form to inform the principal of that additional option. The bill makes these provisions effective January 1, 2014, and requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt the forms not later than October 1, 2013. Additionally, the bill requires a civil action relating to the revocation of a medical power of attorney to be brought in district court only in a county in which there is no statutory probate court. For a county with a statutory probate court, the probate court and the district court have concurrent jurisdiction over such an action. Except as otherwise provided, the bill takes effect September 1, 2013.