HF 1565

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/14/2013 02:29pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring disclosures of certain futility policies; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [144.595] HOSPITAL FUTILITY POLICY.
new text end

new text begin (a) A hospital licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56 that adopts or implements a
futility policy that applies to treatment of any child, from birth to 18 years of age, must
disclose the futility policy to the parents of children treated at the hospital when the
hospital identifies the need for a formal process to address concerns over the proposed
treatment of a child. The hospital must, upon request of a parent of a patient or prospective
patient, provide a copy of the current policy, if any.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, a "futility policy" is any written policy that
encourages or allows hospital employees, or other medical professionals who provide
care to patients at the hospital, to withhold or discontinue treatment for a patient on the
grounds of medical futility.
new text end