CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

 

                   SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1481

 

 

                               

 

 

                        52nd Legislature

                      1992 Regular Session

Passed by the House March 8, 1992

  Yeas 74   Nays 16

 

 

 

Speaker of the

       House of Representatives

 

Passed by the Senate March 5, 1992

  Yeas 28   Nays 21

               CERTIFICATE

 

I, Alan Thompson, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1481 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.

 

 

 

President of the Senate

                               Chief Clerk

 

 

Approved Place Style On Codes above, and Style Off Codes below.

                                     FILED

          

 

 

Governor of the State of Washington

                        Secretary of State

                       State of Washington


                  _______________________________________________

 

                            SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1481

                  _______________________________________________

 

                             AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

 

                     Passed Legislature - 1992 Regular Session

 

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

 

By Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored 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 01/27/92.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 a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 70.122 RCW; 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 believes that physicians and nurses should not withhold or unreasonably diminish pain medication for patients in a terminal condition where the primary intent of providing such medication is to alleviate pain and maintain or increase the patient's comfort.

     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 having the capacity to make health care decisions 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 conditionThe legislature also recognizes that a person's right to control his or her health care may be exercised by an authorized representative who validly holds the person's durable power of attorney for health care.

 

     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 artificially provided 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 an adult person who is 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 in accordance with accepted medical standards 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.  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 dying, 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 death 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.  If another person is appointed to make these decisions for me, whether through a durable power of attorney or otherwise, I request that the person be guided by this directive and any other clear expressions of my desires.

     (c) If I am diagnosed to be in a terminal condition or in a permanent unconscious condition (check one):

     I DO want to have artificially provided nutrition and hydration.

     I DO NOT want to have artificially provided nutrition and hydration.

     (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 and that any changes shall be consistent with Washington state law or federal constitutional law to be legally valid.

     (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.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.      If a qualified patient capable of making health care decisions indicates that he or she wishes to die at home, the patient shall be discharged as soon as reasonably possible.  The health care provider or facility has an obligation to explain the medical risks of an immediate discharge to the qualified patient.  If the provider or facility complies with the obligation to explain the medical risks of an immediate discharge to a qualified patient, there shall be no civil or criminal liability for claims arising from such discharge.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5.      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 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.  If the patient, after being informed of such policy or directive, chooses to retain the physician or facility, the physician or facility with the patient or the patient's representative shall prepare a written plan to be filed with the patient's directive that sets forth the physician's or facilities' intended actions should the patient's medical status change so that the directive would become operative.  The physician or facility under this subsection has no obligation to honor the patient's directive if they have complied with the requirements of this subsection, including compliance with the written plan required under this subsection.

     (3) 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,)) with the directive or in accordance with the written plan in subsection (2) of this section 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.))

     (4) No nurse, physician, or other health care practitioner may be required by law or contract in any circumstances to participate in the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment if such person objects to so doing.  No person may be discriminated against in employment or professional privileges because of the person's participation or refusal to participate in the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.

 

     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)) results in 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.     This chapter shall not be construed as providing the exclusive means by which individuals 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. 12.     Any person or health facility may assume that a directive complies with this chapter and is valid.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13.     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. 14.  A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:

     The department of health shall adopt guidelines and protocols for how emergency medical personnel shall respond when summoned to the site of an injury or illness for the treatment of a person who has signed a written directive or durable power of attorney requesting that he or she not receive futile emergency medical treatment.

 

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

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16.     Sections 4, 5, and 11 through 13 of this act are each added to chapter 70.122 RCW.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17.     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.