Enrolled August 24, 2022 Passed IN Senate August 18, 2022 Passed IN Assembly August 22, 2022 Amended IN Senate June 20, 2022 Amended IN Assembly April 28, 2022 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2338Introduced by Assembly Member GipsonFebruary 16, 2022 An act to amend Section 4711 of, and to add Section 4712 to, the Probate Code, relating to health care decisions. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2338, Gipson. Health care decisions: decisionmakers and surrogates.Existing law authorizes an adult having capacity to give an individual health care instruction and to designate a health care decisionmaker, including an agent designated in a power of attorney to make health care decisions on the persons behalf. Existing law also authorizes a patient to designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider. Existing law authorizes a patient to disqualify a person, including a family member, from acting as the patients surrogate.This bill would authorize the patient to designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by also personally informing a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The bill would authorize legally recognized health care decisionmakers, in an order of priority, to make health care decisions on a patients behalf if the patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision. If a patient does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker, the bill would specify individuals who may be chosen by a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient as a surrogate if the patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision. The bill would require the patients surrogate to be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 4711 of the Probate Code is amended to read:4711. (a) A patient may designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The designation of a surrogate shall be promptly recorded in the patients health care record.(b) Unless the patient specifies a shorter period, a surrogate designation under subdivision (a) is effective only during the course of treatment or illness or during the stay in the health care institution when the surrogate designation is made, or for 60 days, whichever period is shorter.(c) The expiration of a surrogate designation under subdivision (b) does not affect any role the person designated under subdivision (a) may have in making health care decisions for the patient under any other law or standards of practice.(d) Notwithstanding Section 4685, if the patient has designated an agent under a power of attorney for health care, the surrogate designated under subdivision (a) has priority over the agent for the period provided in subdivision (b), but the designation of a surrogate does not revoke the designation of an agent unless the patient communicates the intention to revoke in compliance with subdivision (a) of Section 4695.SEC. 2. Section 4712 is added to the Probate Code, to read:4712. (a) If a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, the following legally recognized health care decisionmakers may make health care decisions on the patients behalf, in the following descending order of priority:(1) The patients surrogate selected pursuant to Section 4711.(2) The patients agent pursuant to an advance health care directive or a power of attorney for health care.(3) The conservator or guardian of the patient having the authority to make health care decisions for the patient.(b) Except as set forth in Section 4715, if a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, but does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker pursuant to subdivision (a), a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient may choose a surrogate to make health care decisions on the patients behalf, as appropriate in the given situation. The patients surrogate shall be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve. A surrogate may be chosen from any of the following persons:(1) The spouse or domestic partner of the patient.(2) An adult child of the patient.(3) A parent of the patient.(4) An adult sibling of the patient.(5) An adult grandchild of the patient.(6) An adult relative or close personal friend.
Enrolled August 24, 2022 Passed IN Senate August 18, 2022 Passed IN Assembly August 22, 2022 Amended IN Senate June 20, 2022 Amended IN Assembly April 28, 2022 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2338Introduced by Assembly Member GipsonFebruary 16, 2022 An act to amend Section 4711 of, and to add Section 4712 to, the Probate Code, relating to health care decisions. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2338, Gipson. Health care decisions: decisionmakers and surrogates.Existing law authorizes an adult having capacity to give an individual health care instruction and to designate a health care decisionmaker, including an agent designated in a power of attorney to make health care decisions on the persons behalf. Existing law also authorizes a patient to designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider. Existing law authorizes a patient to disqualify a person, including a family member, from acting as the patients surrogate.This bill would authorize the patient to designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by also personally informing a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The bill would authorize legally recognized health care decisionmakers, in an order of priority, to make health care decisions on a patients behalf if the patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision. If a patient does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker, the bill would specify individuals who may be chosen by a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient as a surrogate if the patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision. The bill would require the patients surrogate to be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
Enrolled August 24, 2022 Passed IN Senate August 18, 2022 Passed IN Assembly August 22, 2022 Amended IN Senate June 20, 2022 Amended IN Assembly April 28, 2022 Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2022
Enrolled August 24, 2022
Passed IN Senate August 18, 2022
Passed IN Assembly August 22, 2022
Amended IN Senate June 20, 2022
Amended IN Assembly April 28, 2022
Amended IN Assembly March 23, 2022
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2338
Introduced by Assembly Member GipsonFebruary 16, 2022
Introduced by Assembly Member Gipson
February 16, 2022
An act to amend Section 4711 of, and to add Section 4712 to, the Probate Code, relating to health care decisions.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2338, Gipson. Health care decisions: decisionmakers and surrogates.
Existing law authorizes an adult having capacity to give an individual health care instruction and to designate a health care decisionmaker, including an agent designated in a power of attorney to make health care decisions on the persons behalf. Existing law also authorizes a patient to designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider. Existing law authorizes a patient to disqualify a person, including a family member, from acting as the patients surrogate.This bill would authorize the patient to designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by also personally informing a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The bill would authorize legally recognized health care decisionmakers, in an order of priority, to make health care decisions on a patients behalf if the patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision. If a patient does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker, the bill would specify individuals who may be chosen by a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient as a surrogate if the patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision. The bill would require the patients surrogate to be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve.
Existing law authorizes an adult having capacity to give an individual health care instruction and to designate a health care decisionmaker, including an agent designated in a power of attorney to make health care decisions on the persons behalf. Existing law also authorizes a patient to designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider. Existing law authorizes a patient to disqualify a person, including a family member, from acting as the patients surrogate.
This bill would authorize the patient to designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by also personally informing a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The bill would authorize legally recognized health care decisionmakers, in an order of priority, to make health care decisions on a patients behalf if the patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision. If a patient does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker, the bill would specify individuals who may be chosen by a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient as a surrogate if the patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision. The bill would require the patients surrogate to be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 4711 of the Probate Code is amended to read:4711. (a) A patient may designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The designation of a surrogate shall be promptly recorded in the patients health care record.(b) Unless the patient specifies a shorter period, a surrogate designation under subdivision (a) is effective only during the course of treatment or illness or during the stay in the health care institution when the surrogate designation is made, or for 60 days, whichever period is shorter.(c) The expiration of a surrogate designation under subdivision (b) does not affect any role the person designated under subdivision (a) may have in making health care decisions for the patient under any other law or standards of practice.(d) Notwithstanding Section 4685, if the patient has designated an agent under a power of attorney for health care, the surrogate designated under subdivision (a) has priority over the agent for the period provided in subdivision (b), but the designation of a surrogate does not revoke the designation of an agent unless the patient communicates the intention to revoke in compliance with subdivision (a) of Section 4695.SEC. 2. Section 4712 is added to the Probate Code, to read:4712. (a) If a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, the following legally recognized health care decisionmakers may make health care decisions on the patients behalf, in the following descending order of priority:(1) The patients surrogate selected pursuant to Section 4711.(2) The patients agent pursuant to an advance health care directive or a power of attorney for health care.(3) The conservator or guardian of the patient having the authority to make health care decisions for the patient.(b) Except as set forth in Section 4715, if a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, but does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker pursuant to subdivision (a), a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient may choose a surrogate to make health care decisions on the patients behalf, as appropriate in the given situation. The patients surrogate shall be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve. A surrogate may be chosen from any of the following persons:(1) The spouse or domestic partner of the patient.(2) An adult child of the patient.(3) A parent of the patient.(4) An adult sibling of the patient.(5) An adult grandchild of the patient.(6) An adult relative or close personal friend.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 4711 of the Probate Code is amended to read:4711. (a) A patient may designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The designation of a surrogate shall be promptly recorded in the patients health care record.(b) Unless the patient specifies a shorter period, a surrogate designation under subdivision (a) is effective only during the course of treatment or illness or during the stay in the health care institution when the surrogate designation is made, or for 60 days, whichever period is shorter.(c) The expiration of a surrogate designation under subdivision (b) does not affect any role the person designated under subdivision (a) may have in making health care decisions for the patient under any other law or standards of practice.(d) Notwithstanding Section 4685, if the patient has designated an agent under a power of attorney for health care, the surrogate designated under subdivision (a) has priority over the agent for the period provided in subdivision (b), but the designation of a surrogate does not revoke the designation of an agent unless the patient communicates the intention to revoke in compliance with subdivision (a) of Section 4695.
SECTION 1. Section 4711 of the Probate Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
4711. (a) A patient may designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The designation of a surrogate shall be promptly recorded in the patients health care record.(b) Unless the patient specifies a shorter period, a surrogate designation under subdivision (a) is effective only during the course of treatment or illness or during the stay in the health care institution when the surrogate designation is made, or for 60 days, whichever period is shorter.(c) The expiration of a surrogate designation under subdivision (b) does not affect any role the person designated under subdivision (a) may have in making health care decisions for the patient under any other law or standards of practice.(d) Notwithstanding Section 4685, if the patient has designated an agent under a power of attorney for health care, the surrogate designated under subdivision (a) has priority over the agent for the period provided in subdivision (b), but the designation of a surrogate does not revoke the designation of an agent unless the patient communicates the intention to revoke in compliance with subdivision (a) of Section 4695.
4711. (a) A patient may designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The designation of a surrogate shall be promptly recorded in the patients health care record.(b) Unless the patient specifies a shorter period, a surrogate designation under subdivision (a) is effective only during the course of treatment or illness or during the stay in the health care institution when the surrogate designation is made, or for 60 days, whichever period is shorter.(c) The expiration of a surrogate designation under subdivision (b) does not affect any role the person designated under subdivision (a) may have in making health care decisions for the patient under any other law or standards of practice.(d) Notwithstanding Section 4685, if the patient has designated an agent under a power of attorney for health care, the surrogate designated under subdivision (a) has priority over the agent for the period provided in subdivision (b), but the designation of a surrogate does not revoke the designation of an agent unless the patient communicates the intention to revoke in compliance with subdivision (a) of Section 4695.
4711. (a) A patient may designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The designation of a surrogate shall be promptly recorded in the patients health care record.(b) Unless the patient specifies a shorter period, a surrogate designation under subdivision (a) is effective only during the course of treatment or illness or during the stay in the health care institution when the surrogate designation is made, or for 60 days, whichever period is shorter.(c) The expiration of a surrogate designation under subdivision (b) does not affect any role the person designated under subdivision (a) may have in making health care decisions for the patient under any other law or standards of practice.(d) Notwithstanding Section 4685, if the patient has designated an agent under a power of attorney for health care, the surrogate designated under subdivision (a) has priority over the agent for the period provided in subdivision (b), but the designation of a surrogate does not revoke the designation of an agent unless the patient communicates the intention to revoke in compliance with subdivision (a) of Section 4695.
4711. (a) A patient may designate an adult as a surrogate to make health care decisions by personally informing the supervising health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient. The designation of a surrogate shall be promptly recorded in the patients health care record.
(b) Unless the patient specifies a shorter period, a surrogate designation under subdivision (a) is effective only during the course of treatment or illness or during the stay in the health care institution when the surrogate designation is made, or for 60 days, whichever period is shorter.
(c) The expiration of a surrogate designation under subdivision (b) does not affect any role the person designated under subdivision (a) may have in making health care decisions for the patient under any other law or standards of practice.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 4685, if the patient has designated an agent under a power of attorney for health care, the surrogate designated under subdivision (a) has priority over the agent for the period provided in subdivision (b), but the designation of a surrogate does not revoke the designation of an agent unless the patient communicates the intention to revoke in compliance with subdivision (a) of Section 4695.
SEC. 2. Section 4712 is added to the Probate Code, to read:4712. (a) If a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, the following legally recognized health care decisionmakers may make health care decisions on the patients behalf, in the following descending order of priority:(1) The patients surrogate selected pursuant to Section 4711.(2) The patients agent pursuant to an advance health care directive or a power of attorney for health care.(3) The conservator or guardian of the patient having the authority to make health care decisions for the patient.(b) Except as set forth in Section 4715, if a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, but does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker pursuant to subdivision (a), a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient may choose a surrogate to make health care decisions on the patients behalf, as appropriate in the given situation. The patients surrogate shall be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve. A surrogate may be chosen from any of the following persons:(1) The spouse or domestic partner of the patient.(2) An adult child of the patient.(3) A parent of the patient.(4) An adult sibling of the patient.(5) An adult grandchild of the patient.(6) An adult relative or close personal friend.
SEC. 2. Section 4712 is added to the Probate Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
4712. (a) If a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, the following legally recognized health care decisionmakers may make health care decisions on the patients behalf, in the following descending order of priority:(1) The patients surrogate selected pursuant to Section 4711.(2) The patients agent pursuant to an advance health care directive or a power of attorney for health care.(3) The conservator or guardian of the patient having the authority to make health care decisions for the patient.(b) Except as set forth in Section 4715, if a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, but does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker pursuant to subdivision (a), a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient may choose a surrogate to make health care decisions on the patients behalf, as appropriate in the given situation. The patients surrogate shall be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve. A surrogate may be chosen from any of the following persons:(1) The spouse or domestic partner of the patient.(2) An adult child of the patient.(3) A parent of the patient.(4) An adult sibling of the patient.(5) An adult grandchild of the patient.(6) An adult relative or close personal friend.
4712. (a) If a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, the following legally recognized health care decisionmakers may make health care decisions on the patients behalf, in the following descending order of priority:(1) The patients surrogate selected pursuant to Section 4711.(2) The patients agent pursuant to an advance health care directive or a power of attorney for health care.(3) The conservator or guardian of the patient having the authority to make health care decisions for the patient.(b) Except as set forth in Section 4715, if a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, but does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker pursuant to subdivision (a), a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient may choose a surrogate to make health care decisions on the patients behalf, as appropriate in the given situation. The patients surrogate shall be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve. A surrogate may be chosen from any of the following persons:(1) The spouse or domestic partner of the patient.(2) An adult child of the patient.(3) A parent of the patient.(4) An adult sibling of the patient.(5) An adult grandchild of the patient.(6) An adult relative or close personal friend.
4712. (a) If a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, the following legally recognized health care decisionmakers may make health care decisions on the patients behalf, in the following descending order of priority:(1) The patients surrogate selected pursuant to Section 4711.(2) The patients agent pursuant to an advance health care directive or a power of attorney for health care.(3) The conservator or guardian of the patient having the authority to make health care decisions for the patient.(b) Except as set forth in Section 4715, if a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, but does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker pursuant to subdivision (a), a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient may choose a surrogate to make health care decisions on the patients behalf, as appropriate in the given situation. The patients surrogate shall be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve. A surrogate may be chosen from any of the following persons:(1) The spouse or domestic partner of the patient.(2) An adult child of the patient.(3) A parent of the patient.(4) An adult sibling of the patient.(5) An adult grandchild of the patient.(6) An adult relative or close personal friend.
4712. (a) If a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, the following legally recognized health care decisionmakers may make health care decisions on the patients behalf, in the following descending order of priority:
(1) The patients surrogate selected pursuant to Section 4711.
(2) The patients agent pursuant to an advance health care directive or a power of attorney for health care.
(3) The conservator or guardian of the patient having the authority to make health care decisions for the patient.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 4715, if a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, but does not have a legally recognized health care decisionmaker pursuant to subdivision (a), a health care provider or a designee of the health care facility caring for the patient may choose a surrogate to make health care decisions on the patients behalf, as appropriate in the given situation. The patients surrogate shall be an adult who has demonstrated special care and concern for the patient, is familiar with the patients personal values and beliefs to the extent known, and is reasonably available and willing to serve. A surrogate may be chosen from any of the following persons:
(1) The spouse or domestic partner of the patient.
(2) An adult child of the patient.
(3) A parent of the patient.
(4) An adult sibling of the patient.
(5) An adult grandchild of the patient.
(6) An adult relative or close personal friend.