HF 2095

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/07/2016 04:27pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; adopting compassionate care for terminally ill patients;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [145.871] COMPASSIONATE CARE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Citation. new text end

new text begin This section may be cited as the "Minnesota Compassionate
Care Act of 2015."
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Adult" means a person who is 18 years of age or older.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Aid in dying" means the medical practice of a physician prescribing medication
to a qualified patient who is terminally ill, which medication a qualified patient may
self-administer to bring about the patient's own death.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Attending physician" means the physician who has primary responsibility for
the medical care of the patient and treatment of the patient's terminal illness.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Competent" means, in the opinion of the patient's attending physician,
consulting physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or a court, that the patient has the capacity
to understand and acknowledge the nature and consequences of health care decisions,
including the benefits and disadvantages of treatment, to make an informed decision and
to communicate the decision to a health care provider, including communicating through a
person familiar with the patient's manner of communicating.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Consulting physician" means a physician who is qualified by specialty or
experience to make a professional diagnosis and prognosis regarding the patient's terminal
illness.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Counseling" means one or more consultations as necessary between a
psychiatrist or a psychologist and a patient for the purpose of determining that the patient
is competent and not suffering from depression or any other psychiatric or psychological
disorder that causes impaired judgment.
new text end

new text begin (h) "Health care provider" means a person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized
or permitted by law to administer health care or dispense medication in the ordinary
course of business or practice of a profession, including but not limited to a physician,
psychiatrist, psychologist, or pharmacist.
new text end

new text begin (i) "Health care facility" means a hospital, residential care home, nursing home,
or rest home.
new text end

new text begin (j) "Informed decision" means a decision by a qualified patient to request and obtain
a prescription for medication that the qualified patient may self-administer for aid in
dying, that is based on an understanding and acknowledgment of the relevant facts and
after being fully informed by the attending physician of:
new text end

new text begin (1) the patient's medical diagnosis and prognosis;
new text end

new text begin (2) the potential risks associated with self-administering the medication to be
prescribed;
new text end

new text begin (3) the probable result of taking the medication to be prescribed;
new text end

new text begin (4) the feasible alternatives and health care treatment options, including but not
limited to palliative care.
new text end

new text begin (k) "Medically confirmed" means the medical opinion of the attending physician
has been confirmed by a consulting physician who has examined the patient and the
patient's relevant medical records.
new text end

new text begin (l) "Palliative care" means health care centered on a terminally ill patient and the
patient's family that:
new text end

new text begin (1) optimizes the patient's quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating the
patient's suffering throughout the continuum of the patient's terminal illness;
new text end

new text begin (2) addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient;
new text end

new text begin (3) facilitates patient autonomy, the patient's access to information, and patient
choice; and
new text end

new text begin (4) includes but is not limited to discussions between the patient and a health care
provider concerning the patient's goals for treatment options available to the patient,
including hospice care and comprehensive pain and symptom management.
new text end

new text begin (m) "Patient" means a person who is under the care of a physician.
new text end

new text begin (n) "Pharmacist" means a person licensed under chapter 151.
new text end

new text begin (o) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under
chapter 147.
new text end

new text begin (p) "Psychiatrist" means a psychiatrist licensed under chapter 147.
new text end

new text begin (q) "Psychologist" means a psychologist licensed under section 148.907.
new text end

new text begin (r) "Qualified patient" means a competent adult who is a resident of Minnesota, has a
terminal illness, and has satisfied the requirements of this section in order to obtain aid
in dying.
new text end

new text begin (s) "Self-administer" means a qualified patient's act of ingesting medication.
new text end

new text begin (t) "Terminal illness" means the final stage of an incurable and irreversible medical
condition that an attending physician anticipates, within reasonable medical judgment,
will produce a patient's death within six months.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Request for aid in dying. new text end

new text begin (a) A person who:
new text end

new text begin (1) is an adult;
new text end

new text begin (2) is competent;
new text end

new text begin (3) is a resident of Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (4) has been determined by the person's attending physician to have a terminal
illness; and
new text end

new text begin (5) has voluntarily expressed a wish to receive aid in dying
new text end

new text begin may request aid in dying by making two written requests pursuant to subdivisions 4 and 5.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person is not a qualified patient under this section based solely on age,
disability, or any specific illness.
new text end

new text begin (c) No person, including but not limited to an agent under a living will, an
attorney-in-fact under a durable power of attorney, a guardian, or a conservator, may act
on behalf of a patient for purposes of this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Signed, written requests required. new text end

new text begin (a) A patient wishing to receive aid in
dying shall submit two written requests to the patient's attending physician in substantially
the form in subdivision 5. A valid written request for aid in dying under this section shall
be signed and dated by the patient. Each request shall be witnessed by at least two persons
who, in the presence of the patient, attest that to the best of their knowledge and belief
the patient is: (1) of sound mind; and (2) acting voluntarily and not being coerced to sign
the request. The patient's second written request for aid in dying shall be submitted no
earlier than 15 days after the patient submits the first request.
new text end

new text begin (b) At least one of the witnesses described in paragraph (a) shall be a person who is
not: (1) a relative of the patient by blood, marriage, or adoption; (2) at the time the request
is signed, entitled to any portion of the estate of the patient upon the patient's death, under
any will or by operation of law; or (3) an owner, operator, or employee of a health care
facility where the patient is receiving medical treatment or is a resident.
new text end

new text begin (c) The patient's attending physician at the time the request is signed shall not be
a witness.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the patient is a resident of a residential care home, nursing home, or skilled
nursing facility at the time the written request is made, one of the witnesses shall be a
person designated by the home or facility.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Request form. new text end

new text begin A request for aid in dying as authorized by this section
shall be in substantially the following form:
new text end

new text begin REQUEST FOR MEDICATION TO AID IN DYING
new text end

new text begin I, ......., am an adult of sound mind.
new text end

new text begin I am a resident of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin I am suffering from ......., which my attending physician has determined is an
incurable and irreversible medical condition that will, within reasonable medical
judgment, result in death within six months. This diagnosis of a terminal illness has been
confirmed by another physician.
new text end

new text begin I have been fully informed of my diagnosis, prognosis, the nature of medication to be
prescribed to aid me in dying, the potential associated risks, the expected result, feasible
alternatives, and additional health care treatment options, including palliative care.
new text end

new text begin I request that my attending physician prescribe medication that I may self-administer
for aid in dying. I authorize my attending physician to contact a pharmacist to fill the
prescription for the medication, upon my request.
new text end

new text begin INITIAL ONE:
new text end

new text begin ....... I have informed my family of my decision and taken their opinions into
consideration.
new text end

new text begin ....... I have decided not to inform my family of my decision.
new text end

new text begin ....... I have no family to inform of my decision.
new text end

new text begin I understand that I have the right to rescind this request at any time.
new text end

new text begin I understand the full import of this request and I expect to die if and when I take
the medication to be prescribed. I further understand that although most deaths occur
within three hours, my death may take longer and my attending physician has counseled
me about this possibility.
new text end

new text begin I make this request voluntarily and without reservation, and I accept full
responsibility for my decision to request aid in dying.
new text end

new text begin Signed: .......
new text end

new text begin Dated: .......
new text end

new text begin DECLARATION OF WITNESSES
new text end

new text begin By initialing and signing below on the date the person named above signs, I declare
that the person making and signing the above request:
new text end

new text begin Witness 1 ....... Witness 2 .......
new text end

new text begin Initials ........ Initials .......
new text end

new text begin ....... 1. Is personally known to me or has provided proof of identity;
new text end

new text begin ....... 2. Signed this request in my presence on the date of the person's signature;
new text end

new text begin ....... 3. Appears to be of sound mind and not under duress, fraud, or undue
influence; and
new text end

new text begin ....... 4. Is not a patient for whom I am the attending physician.
new text end

new text begin Printed Name of Witness 1 ..............
new text end

new text begin Signature of Witness 1 ................ Date ...............
new text end

new text begin Printed Name of Witness 2 ...............
new text end

new text begin Signature of Witness 2 ................. Date .......
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Opportunity to rescind request. new text end

new text begin (a) A qualified patient may rescind
the patient's request for aid in dying at any time and in any manner without regard to
the patient's mental state.
new text end

new text begin (b) An attending physician shall offer a qualified patient an opportunity to rescind
the patient's request for aid in dying at the time the patient submits a second written
request for aid in dying to the attending physician.
new text end

new text begin (c) No prescription for medication for aid in dying shall be written without the
qualified patient's attending physician first offering the qualified patient a second
opportunity to rescind the patient's request for aid in dying.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Physician responsibilities. new text end

new text begin When an attending physician is presented
with a patient's first written request for aid in dying under this section, the attending
physician shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) make a determination that the patient:
new text end

new text begin (i) is an adult;
new text end

new text begin (ii) has a terminal illness;
new text end

new text begin (iii) is competent; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) has voluntarily requested aid in dying;
new text end

new text begin (2) require the patient to demonstrate residency in this state by presenting:
new text end

new text begin (i) Minnesota driver's license;
new text end

new text begin (ii) a valid voter registration record authorizing the patient to vote in this state;
new text end

new text begin (iii) evidence that the patient owns or leases property in this state; or
new text end

new text begin (iv) any other government-issued document that the attending physician reasonably
believes demonstrates that the patient is a current resident of this state;
new text end

new text begin (3) ensure that the patient is making an informed decision by informing the patient of:
new text end

new text begin (i) the patient's medical diagnosis;
new text end

new text begin (ii) the patient's prognosis;
new text end

new text begin (iii) the potential risks associated with self-administering the medication to be
prescribed for aid in dying;
new text end

new text begin (iv) the probable result of self-administering the medication to be prescribed for aid
in dying; and
new text end

new text begin (v) the feasible alternatives and health care treatment options including, but not
limited to, palliative care; and
new text end

new text begin (4) refer the patient to a consulting physician for medical confirmation of the
attending physician's diagnosis of the patient's terminal illness, the patient's prognosis, and
for a determination that the patient is competent and acting voluntarily in requesting aid
in dying.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Qualified patient. new text end

new text begin In order for a patient to be found to be a qualified
patient for the purposes of this section, a consulting physician shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) examine the patient and the patient's relevant medical records;
new text end

new text begin (2) confirm, in writing, the attending physician's diagnosis that the patient has
a terminal illness;
new text end

new text begin (3) verify that the patient is competent, is acting voluntarily, and has made an
informed decision to request aid in dying; and
new text end

new text begin (4) refer the patient for counseling, if required in accordance with subdivision 9.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Medical determination on competency. new text end

new text begin (a) If, in the medical opinion
of the attending physician or the consulting physician, a patient may be suffering from a
psychiatric or psychological condition or depression that is causing impaired judgment,
either the attending or consulting physician shall refer the patient for counseling to
determine whether the patient is competent to request aid in dying.
new text end

new text begin (b) An attending physician shall not provide the patient aid in dying until the person
providing the counseling determines that the patient is not suffering a psychiatric or
psychological condition or depression that is causing impaired judgment.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Process. new text end

new text begin (a) After an attending physician and a consulting physician
determine that a patient is a qualified patient, and after the qualified patient submits a
second request for aid in dying according to subdivision 4, the attending physician shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) recommend to the qualified patient that the patient notify the patient's next of
kin of the patient's request for aid in dying and inform the qualified patient that failure
to do so shall not be a basis for the denial of the request;
new text end

new text begin (2) counsel the qualified patient concerning the importance of:
new text end

new text begin (i) having another person present when the qualified patient self-administers the
medication prescribed for aid in dying; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) not taking the medication in a public place;
new text end

new text begin (3) inform the qualified patient that the patient may rescind the patient's request for
aid in dying at any time and in any manner;
new text end

new text begin (4) verify, immediately before writing the prescription for medication for aid in
dying, that the qualified patient is making an informed decision;
new text end

new text begin (5) fulfill the medical record documentation requirements in subdivision 11; and
new text end

new text begin (6)(i) dispense medications, including ancillary medications intended to facilitate the
desired effect to minimize the qualified patient's discomfort, if the attending physician is
authorized to dispense such medication, to the qualified patient; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) upon the qualified patient's request and with the qualified patient's written consent;
new text end

new text begin (A) contact a pharmacist and inform the pharmacist of the prescription; and
new text end

new text begin (B) deliver the written prescription personally, by mail, by facsimile, or by another
electronic method that is permitted by the pharmacy to the pharmacist, who shall dispense
the medications directly to the qualified patient, the attending physician, or an expressly
identified agent of the qualified patient.
new text end

new text begin (b) The attending physician may sign the qualified patient's death certificate that
shall list the underlying terminal illness as the cause of death.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Medical record. new text end

new text begin With respect to a request by a qualified patient for aid in
dying, the attending physician shall ensure that the following items are documented or
filed in the qualified patient's medical record:
new text end

new text begin (1) the basis for determining that the qualified patient requesting aid in dying is an
adult and is a resident of the state;
new text end

new text begin (2) all oral requests by a qualified patient for medication for aid in dying;
new text end

new text begin (3) all written requests by a qualified patient for medication for aid in dying;
new text end

new text begin (4) the attending physician's diagnosis of the qualified patient's terminal illness and
prognosis, and a determination that the qualified patient is competent, is acting voluntarily,
and has made an informed decision to request aid in dying;
new text end

new text begin (5) the consulting physician's confirmation of the qualified patient's diagnosis and
prognosis, and confirmation that the qualified patient is competent, is acting voluntarily,
and has made an informed decision to request aid in dying;
new text end

new text begin (6) a report of the outcome and determinations made during counseling, if counseling
was recommended and provided as required by subdivision 9;
new text end

new text begin (7) documentation of the attending physician's offer to the qualified patient to rescind
the patient's request for aid in dying at the time the attending physician writes the qualified
patient a prescription for medication for aid in dying; and
new text end

new text begin (8) a statement by the attending physician indicating that all requirements under this
section have been met and indicating the steps taken to carry out the qualified patient's
request for aid in dying, including the medication prescribed.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Use of records. new text end

new text begin Records or information collected or maintained under
this section shall not be subject to subpoena or discovery or introduced into evidence in
any judicial or administrative proceeding except to resolve matters concerning compliance
with this section, or as otherwise specifically provided by law.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Disposing of medication. new text end

new text begin Any person in possession of medication
prescribed for aid in dying that has not been self-administered must dispose of the
medication.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Contract, will, or other instrument. new text end

new text begin (a) Any provision in a contract,
will, insurance policy, annuity, or other agreement, whether written or oral, that is entered
into on or after October 1, 2015, that would affect whether a person may make or rescind a
request for aid in dying is not valid.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any obligation owing under any currently existing contract shall not be
conditioned or affected by the making or rescinding of a request for aid in dying.
new text end

new text begin (c) On and after the effective date of this section, the sale, procurement, or issuance
of any life, health, or accident insurance or annuity policy or the rate charged for any
such policy shall not be conditioned upon or affected by the making or rescinding of a
request for aid in dying.
new text end

new text begin (d) A qualified patient's act of requesting aid in dying or self-administering
medication prescribed for aid in dying shall not:
new text end

new text begin (1) affect a life, health, or accident insurance or annuity policy, or benefits payable
under the policy;
new text end

new text begin (2) be grounds for eviction from a person's place of residence or a basis for
discrimination in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in
the provision of services or facilities because of the patient's request for aid in dying;
new text end

new text begin (3) provide the sole basis for the appointment of a conservator or guardian; or
new text end

new text begin (4) constitute suicide for any purpose.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Participate in provision of medication. new text end

new text begin (a) As used in this section,
"participate in the provision of medication" means to perform the duties of an attending
physician or consulting physician, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a pharmacist according
to subdivisions 2 to 10, and does not include:
new text end

new text begin (1) making an initial diagnosis of a patient's terminal illness;
new text end

new text begin (2) informing a patient of the patient's medical diagnosis or prognosis;
new text end

new text begin (3) informing a patient concerning the provisions of this section, upon the patient's
request; or
new text end

new text begin (4) referring a patient to another health care provider for aid in dying.
new text end

new text begin (b) Participation in any act described in this section by a patient, health care provider,
or any other person shall be voluntary. Each health care provider shall individually and
affirmatively determine whether to participate in the provision of medication to a qualified
patient for aid in dying. A health care facility shall not require a health care provider to
participate in the provision of medication to a qualified patient for aid in dying, but may
prohibit such participation according to paragraph (d).
new text end

new text begin (c) If a health care provider or health care facility is unwilling to participate in the
provision of medication to a qualified patient for aid in dying, the health care provider
or health care facility shall transfer all relevant medical records to a health care provider
or health care facility as requested by a qualified patient.
new text end

new text begin (d) A health care facility may adopt written policies prohibiting a health care
provider associated with the health care facility from participating in the provision of
medication to a patient for aid in dying, provided the facility provides written notice
of the policy and any sanctions for violation of the policy to the health care provider.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph or any policies adopted according to this
paragraph, a qualified health care provider may:
new text end

new text begin (1) diagnose a patient with a terminal illness;
new text end

new text begin (2) inform a patient of the patient's medical prognosis;
new text end

new text begin (3) provide a patient with information concerning the provisions of this section,
upon a patient's request;
new text end

new text begin (4) refer a patient to another health care facility or health care provider;
new text end

new text begin (5) transfer a patient's medical records to a health care provider or health care
facility as requested by a patient; or
new text end

new text begin (6) participate in the provision of medication for aid in dying when the health care
provider is acting outside the scope of the provider's employment or contract with a health
care facility that prohibits participation in the provision of the medication.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Criminal act. new text end

new text begin (a) Any person who without authorization of a patient
wilfully alters or forges a request for aid in dying, as described in subdivisions 4 and 5, or
conceals or destroys a rescission of a request for aid in dying with the intent or effect of
causing the patient's death, is guilty of attempted murder or murder.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any person who coerces or exerts undue influence on a patient to complete a
request for aid in dying, as described in subdivisions 4 and 5, or coerces or exerts undue
influence on a patient to destroy a rescission of the request with the intent or effect of
causing the patient's death, is guilty of attempted murder or murder.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end

new text begin Aid in dying. new text end

new text begin (a) Nothing in this section authorizes a physician or any
other person to end a patient's life by lethal injection, mercy killing, assisting a suicide,
or any other active euthanasia.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any action taken according to this section does not constitute causing or assisting
another person to commit suicide.
new text end

new text begin (c) No report of a public agency may refer to the practice of obtaining and
self-administering life-ending medication to end a qualified patient's life as "suicide" or
"assisted suicide," and shall refer to the practice as "aid in dying."
new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end

new text begin Civil damages. new text end

new text begin This section does not limit liability for civil damages
resulting from negligent conduct or intentional misconduct by any person.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end

new text begin Criminal prosecution. new text end

new text begin Nothing in this section precludes criminal
prosecution under any provision of law for conduct that is inconsistent with this section.
new text end