Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4100

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to advance directives and health care and treatment decisions.

Impact

The legislation establishes protocols that healthcare facilities must follow when handling requests related to life-sustaining treatments and ensures patients receive notifications about their rights. In cases where an attending physician disagrees with a patient's or surrogate's decision to withdraw treatment, the case will undergo a review by an ethics or medical committee. This process is designed to ensure that decisions are medically appropriate while preserving patient autonomy and rights.

Summary

House Bill 4100 seeks to make important amendments to the existing framework governing advance directives and the decisions surrounding healthcare treatments for patients, particularly in the context of end-of-life care. It aims to clarify the definitions of key terms, such as 'life-sustaining treatment' and 'artificially administered nutrition and hydration'. Additionally, the bill introduces procedures for handling do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) orders and enhances the rights of patients or their surrogates regarding healthcare treatment decisions.

Contention

Some notable points of contention surrounding HB 4100 include concerns about the balance between a physician's medical judgement and a patient's right to refuse life-sustaining treatment. Critics argue that the ethics committee process may lead to delays in the execution of advance directives as patients continue to receive life-sustaining treatment during ongoing reviews. Proponents, however, argue that this mechanism is necessary to prevent premature withdrawal of treatment in complex cases where medical ethics must be carefully navigated.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX SB1724

Relating to advance directives and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients, including a review of those directives and decisions.

TX SB1952

Relating to advance directives and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients, including a review of those directives and decisions.

TX HB3162

Relating to advance directives, do-not-resuscitate orders, and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of certain patients, including a review of directives and decisions.

TX HB647

Relating to an advance directive and do-not-resuscitate order of a pregnant woman and information provided for an advance directive.

TX SB2465

Relating to an advance directive and do-not-resuscitate order of a pregnant woman and information provided for an advance directive.

TX HB1873

Relating to patients' rights, consumer protection, and directives for the provision of health care services; providing an administrative penalty.

TX SB2039

Relating to health care practitioner authority regarding certain do-not-resuscitate orders, including the use of electronic copies and photographs of out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders.

TX HB4989

Relating to the presumption of validity for an advance directive and permissible forms of a medical power of attorney.

TX SB1700

Relating to the licensing and authority of advanced practice registered nurses.

TX SB14

Relating to prohibitions on the provision to certain children of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria and on the use of public money or public assistance to provide those procedures and treatments.

Similar Bills

TX HB1444

Relating to advance directives and health care and treatment decisions.

TX SB303

Relating to advance directives and health care and treatment decisions.

TX HB3099

Relating to advance directives in Texas.

TX HB3074

Relating to the provision of artificially administered nutrition and hydration and life-sustaining treatment.

TX SB1944

Relating to end-of-life issues and hospice care.

TX HB3162

Relating to advance directives, do-not-resuscitate orders, and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of certain patients, including a review of directives and decisions.

TX SB1724

Relating to advance directives and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients, including a review of those directives and decisions.