Oklahoma House Bill HB2720

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Guardian and ward; powers of guardian; effective date.

Impact

The change introduced by HB2720 will have significant implications on how guardians are permitted to act on behalf of their wards. By allowing consent for life-sustaining procedure decisions within the context of hospice care, the bill aligns guardianship powers more closely with the wishes of wards who may not be able to participate in decision-making due to severe health issues. This legislative change aims to streamline complex decisions surrounding end-of-life care and acknowledges the need for compassion in such sensitive situations.

Summary

House Bill 2720 amends Section 3-119 of Title 30 of the Oklahoma Statutes related to the powers of guardians over their wards. The bill specifically removes existing limitations on guardians regarding their authority to consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures for wards under hospice care. With this amendment, guardians will have greater autonomy to make pivotal health care decisions for those in their care, particularly when it comes to end-of-life circumstances.

Contention

Notably, this bill could draw contention regarding the potential for guardian overreach or abuse, as the previous restrictions served to protect wards from undesirable decisions being made on their behalf. Opponents may express concern that without appropriate checks, guardians could make decisions that might not reflect the true wishes or best interests of the wards they are supposed to protect. The balance between providing guardians with the necessary authority while safeguarding against misuse will likely be a key point of debate as the bill progresses.