H-0055.6          _______________________________________________

 

                                  HOUSE BILL 1481

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

 

By Representatives May, Hine, Ballard, R. Johnson, Betrozoff, Spanel, Broback, Rasmussen, Wood, Brumsickle, Neher, Leonard, Ferguson, Day, Lisk, Cooper, Brough, Prentice, Forner, Basich, Paris, Holland, G. Fisher, Horn, Sprenkle, Dellwo, Moyer, Grant, Braddock, Bowman, Heavey, Kremen, Cantwell, Winsley, Zellinsky, Silver, Franklin, Pruitt, Inslee, Edmondson, Sheldon, McLean, Riley, Wynne, Rayburn, Wilson and Orr.

 

Read first time January 30, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.Amending the natural death act.


     AN ACT Relating to the natural death act; amending RCW 70.122.010, 70.122.020, 70.122.030, 70.122.060, 70.122.070, 70.122.080, 70.122.090, and 70.122.100; adding new sections to chapter 70.122 RCW; creating new sections; and repealing RCW 70.122.050.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

     Sec. 1.  RCW 70.122.010 and 1979 c 112 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

     The legislature finds that adult persons have the fundamental right to control the decisions relating to the rendering of their own ((medical)) health care, including the decision to have life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment withheld or withdrawn in instances of a terminal condition or permanent unconscious condition.

     The legislature further finds that modern medical technology has made possible the artificial prolongation of human life beyond natural limits.

     The legislature further finds that, in the interest of protecting individual autonomy, such prolongation of ((life)) the process of dying for persons with a terminal condition or permanent unconscious condition may cause loss of patient dignity, and unnecessary pain and suffering, while providing nothing medically necessary or beneficial to the patient.

     The legislature further finds that there exists considerable uncertainty in the medical and legal professions as to the legality of terminating the use or application of life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment where the patient has voluntarily ((and in sound mind)) evidenced a desire that such ((procedures)) treatment be withheld or withdrawn.

     In recognition of the dignity and privacy which patients have a right to expect, the legislature hereby declares that the laws of the state of Washington shall recognize the right of an adult person to make a written directive instructing such person's physician to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment in the event of a terminal condition or permanent unconscious condition.

     The legislature further recognizes that in the absence of controversy, the court is normally not the proper forum in which to make decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment.

     To avoid treatment that is not desired by a person in a terminal condition or permanent unconscious condition, the legislature declares this chapter to be in the interest of the public health and welfare.

 

     Sec. 2.  RCW 70.122.020 and 1979 c 112 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions contained in this section shall apply throughout this chapter.

     (1) "Adult person" means a person who has attained the age of majority as defined in RCW 26.28.010 and 26.28.015, and who has the capacity to make health care decisions.

     (2) "Attending physician" means the physician selected by, or assigned to, the patient who has primary responsibility for the treatment and care of the patient.

     (((2))) (3) "Directive" means a written document voluntarily executed by the declarer ((in accordance with the requirements)) generally consistent with the guidelines of RCW 70.122.030.

     (((3))) (4) "Health facility" means a hospital as defined in RCW ((70.38.020(7))) 70.41.020(2) or a nursing home as defined in RCW ((70.38.020(8))) 18.51.010, a home health agency or hospice agency as defined in RCW 70.126.010, or a boarding home as defined in RCW 18.20.020.

     (((4))) (5) "Life-sustaining ((procedure)) treatment" means any medical or surgical ((procedure or intervention which utilizes)) intervention that uses mechanical or other artificial means, including but not limited to artificial nutrition and hydration, to sustain, restore, or ((supplant)) replace a vital function, which, when applied to a qualified patient, would serve only to ((artificially)) prolong the ((moment of death and where, in the judgment of the attending physician, death is imminent whether or not such procedures are utilized)) process of dying.  "Life-sustaining ((procedure)) treatment" shall not include the administration of medication or the performance of any medical ((procedure)) or surgical intervention deemed necessary solely to alleviate pain.

     (6) "Permanent unconscious condition" means an incurable and irreversible condition in which the patient is medically assessed within reasonable medical judgment as having no reasonable probability of recovery from an irreversible coma or a persistent vegetative state.

     (((5))) (7) "Physician" means a person licensed under chapters 18.71 or 18.57 RCW.

     (((6))) (8) "Qualified patient" means a patient diagnosed ((and certified)) in writing to ((be afflicted with)) have a terminal condition by ((two physicians one of whom shall be)) the patient's attending physician, who ((have)) has personally examined the patient, or a patient who is diagnosed in writing to be in a permanent unconscious condition by two physicians, one of whom is the patient's attending physician, and both of whom have personally examined the patient.

     (((7))) (9) "Terminal condition" means an incurable and irreversible condition caused by injury, disease, or illness, ((which, regardless of the application of life-sustaining procedures, would)) that, within reasonable medical judgment, ((produce)) will cause death within a reasonable period of time in accordance with accepted medical standards, and where the application of life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment serves only to ((postpone the moment of death of the patient)) prolong the process of dying.

     (((8) "Adult person" means a person attaining the age of majority as defined in RCW 26.28.010 and 26.28.015.))

 

     Sec. 3.  RCW 70.122.030 and 1979 c 112 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) Any adult person may execute a directive directing the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment in a terminal condition or permanent unconscious condition.  The directive shall be signed by the declarer in the presence of two witnesses not related to the declarer by blood or marriage and who would not be entitled to any portion of the estate of the declarer upon declarer's decease under any will of the declarer or codicil thereto then existing or, at the time of the directive, by operation of law then existing.  In addition, a witness to a directive shall not be the attending physician, an employee of the attending physician or a health facility in which the declarer is a patient, or any person who has a claim against any portion of the estate of the declarer upon declarer's decease at the time of the execution of the directive.  However, a witness to a directive may be an employee of a long-term care facility, as defined in RCW 43.190.020, in which the declarer is a resident if the second witness is a state long-term care ombudsman, pursuant to chapter 43.190 RCW.  The directive, or a copy thereof, shall be made part of the patient's medical records retained by the attending physician, a copy of which shall be forwarded by the custodian of the records to the health facility ((upon the withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures)) when the withholding or withdrawal of life-support treatment is contemplated.  The directive ((shall)) may be ((essentially)) in the following form, but in addition may include other specific directions:

                            ((DIRECTIVE TO PHYSICIANS))

                               Health Care Directive

     Directive made this ____ day of __________ (month, year).

     I __________, ((being of sound mind)) having the capacity to make health care decisions, willfully, and voluntarily make known my desire that my ((life)) dying shall not be artificially prolonged under the circumstances set forth below, and do hereby declare that:

     (a) If at any time I should ((have an incurable injury, disease, or illness certified)) be diagnosed in writing to be in a terminal condition by ((two physicians)) the attending physician, or in a permanent unconscious condition by two physicians, and where the application of life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment would serve only to artificially prolong the ((moment of my death and where my physician determines that my death is imminent whether or not life-sustaining procedures are utilized)) process of my death, I direct that such ((procedures)) treatment be withheld or withdrawn, and that I be permitted to die naturally.  I understand by using this form that a terminal condition means an incurable and irreversible condition caused by injury, disease, or illness, that would within reasonable medical judgment cause dying within a reasonable period of time in accordance with accepted medical standards, and where the application of life-sustaining treatment would serve only to prolong the process of dying.  I further understand in using this form that a permanent unconscious condition means an incurable and irreversible condition in which I am medically assessed within reasonable medical judgment as having no reasonable probability of recovery from an irreversible coma or a persistent vegetative state.

     (b) In the absence of my ability to give directions regarding the use of such life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment, it is my intention that this directive shall be honored by my family and physician(s) as the final expression of my legal right to refuse medical or surgical treatment and I accept the consequences ((from)) of such refusal.

     (c) If I am diagnosed to be in a terminal condition or a permanent unconscious condition, I wish to have artificial nutrition and hydration withheld or withdrawn.

     (d) If I have been diagnosed as pregnant and that diagnosis is known to my physician, this directive shall have no force or effect during the course of my pregnancy.

     (((d))) (e) I understand the full import of this directive and I am emotionally and mentally ((competent)) capable to make the health care decisions contained in this directive.

     (f) I understand that before I sign this directive, I can add to or delete from or otherwise change the wording of this directive and that I may add to or delete from this directive at any time as long as it is consistent with Washington state law or federal constitutional law.

     (g) It is my wish that every part of this directive be fully implemented.  If for any reason any part is held invalid it is my wish that the remainder of my directive be implemented.

                                                 Signed............................

                       City, County, and State of Residence

The declarer has been personally known to me and I believe him or her to be ((of sound mind)) capable of making health care decisions.

                                                  Witness..........................

                                                  Witness..........................

     (2) Prior to ((effectuating a directive)) withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, the diagnosis of a terminal condition by ((two physicians)) the attending physician or the diagnosis of a permanent unconscious state by two physicians shall be ((verified)) entered in writing((, attached to the directive,)) and made a permanent part of the patient's medical records.

     (3) A directive executed in another political jurisdiction is valid to the extent permitted by Washington state law and federal constitutional law.

     (4) After the effective date of this act, all directives should include a reference to a qualified patient's desires with regard to the withholding or withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.  If a qualified patient capable of making health care decisions indicates by words or actions that he or she wishes to die at home in dignity, the patient shall be discharged as soon as reasonably possible.  There shall be no civil or criminal liability for claims arising from such discharge.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5.  A new section is added to chapter 70.122 RCW to read as follows:

     Any physician, health care provider acting under the direction of a physician, or health facility and its personnel who participate in good faith in the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from a qualified patient in accordance with the requirements of this chapter shall be immune from legal liability, including civil, criminal, or professional conduct sanctions, unless otherwise negligent.

 

     Sec. 6.  RCW 70.122.060 and 1979 c 112 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) Prior to ((effectuating a)) the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment from a qualified patient pursuant to the directive, the attending physician shall make a reasonable effort to determine that the directive complies with RCW 70.122.030 and, if the patient is ((mentally competent)) capable of making health care decisions, that the directive and all steps proposed by the attending physician to be undertaken are currently in accord with the desires of the qualified patient.

     (2) The directive shall be conclusively presumed, unless revoked, to be the directions of the patient regarding the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment.  No physician, ((and no licensed)) health facility, or health personnel acting in good faith ((under the direction of a physician,)) shall be criminally or civilly liable for failing to effectuate the directive of the qualified patient pursuant to this subsection.  ((If the physician refuses to effectuate the directive, such physician shall make a good faith effort to transfer the qualified patient to another physician who will effectuate the directive of the qualified patient))  A person or health facility who chooses not to comply with the directive shall immediately take all reasonable steps to transfer care of the qualified patient to another physician or health facility who will effectuate the directive.  A person whose conscience, or a health facility with a policy that, does not allow participation in the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, and who takes all reasonable steps to transfer care of the qualified patient, shall be unconditionally protected from civil and criminal liability unless otherwise negligent.

     (3) The attending physician or health facility shall inform a patient or patient's authorized representative of the existence of any policy or practice that would preclude the honoring of the patient's directive at the time the physician or facility becomes aware of the existence of such a directive.

 

     Sec. 7.  RCW 70.122.070 and 1979 c 112 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) The withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment from a qualified patient pursuant to the patient's directive in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall not, for any purpose, constitute a suicide or a homicide.

     (2) The making of a directive pursuant to RCW 70.122.030 shall not restrict, inhibit, or impair in any manner the sale, procurement, or issuance of any policy of life insurance, nor shall it be deemed to modify the terms of an existing policy of life insurance.  No policy of life insurance shall be legally impaired or invalidated in any manner by the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment from an insured qualified patient, notwithstanding any term of the policy to the contrary.

     (3) No physician, health facility, or other health provider, and no health care service plan, insurer issuing disability insurance, self-insured employee welfare benefit plan, or nonprofit hospital service plan, shall require any person to execute a directive as a condition for being insured for, or receiving, health care services.

 

     Sec. 8.  RCW 70.122.080 and 1979 c 112 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

     The act of withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment, when done pursuant to a directive described in RCW 70.122.030 and which causes the death of the declarer,  shall not be construed to be an intervening force or to affect the chain of proximate cause between the conduct of ((any person)) anyone that placed the declarer in a terminal condition or a permanent unconscious condition and the death of the declarer.

 

     Sec. 9.  RCW 70.122.090 and 1979 c 112 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

     Any person who willfully conceals, cancels, defaces, obliterates, or damages the directive of another without such declarer's consent shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.  Any person who falsifies or forges the directive of another, or willfully conceals or withholds personal knowledge of a revocation as provided in RCW 70.122.040 with the intent to cause a withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment contrary to the wishes of the declarer, and thereby, because of any such act, directly causes life-sustaining ((procedures)) treatment to be withheld or withdrawn and death to thereby be hastened, shall be subject to prosecution for murder in the first degree as defined in RCW 9A.32.030.

 

     Sec. 10.  RCW 70.122.100 and 1979 c 112 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

     Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to condone, authorize, or approve mercy killing or physician-assisted suicide, or to permit any affirmative or deliberate act or omission to end life other than to permit the natural process of dying.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11.  A new section is added to chapter 70.122 RCW to read as follows:

     This chapter shall not be construed as requiring a physician or a registered nurse to provide futile treatment, nor shall it be construed as requiring a licensed practical nurse acting under the direction of a registered nurse, a physician's trained mobile technician or paramedic certified pursuant to RCW 18.71.205, or an emergency medical technician certified pursuant to RCW 18.73.081, acting under the direction of a physician, to provide futile treatment.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12.  A new section is added to chapter 70.122 RCW to read as follows:

     This chapter shall not be construed as providing the exclusive means by which individuals or their authorized representatives identified in RCW 7.70.065, including holders of durable powers of attorney pursuant to RCW 11.94.010 or otherwise, may make decisions regarding their health treatment, including but not limited to, the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, nor limiting the means provided by case law more expansive than this act.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13.  A new section is added to chapter 70.122 RCW to read as follows:

     Any person or health facility may assume that a directive complies with this chapter and is valid.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14.  A new section is added to chapter 70.122 RCW to read as follows:

     A directive executed anytime before the effective date  of this act which generally complies with this act is effective under this act.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15.       RCW 70.122.050 and 1979 c 112 s 6 are each repealed.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16.       If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17.       This act constitutes an alternative to Initiative 119.  The secretary of state shall place this act on the ballot in conjunction with Initiative 119 at the next ensuing regular general election.