SF 2050

3rd Engrossment - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to health; modifying provisions governing 
  1.3             advance health care directives; combining laws 
  1.4             governing living wills and durable power of attorney 
  1.5             for health care; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, 
  1.6             sections 144.335, subdivision 1; 145C.01, subdivisions 
  1.7             2, 3, 4, 8, and by adding subdivisions; 145C.02; 
  1.8             145C.03; 145C.04; 145C.05, subdivisions 1 and 2; 
  1.9             145C.06; 145C.07; 145C.08; 145C.09; 145C.10; 145C.11; 
  1.10            145C.12; 145C.13, subdivision 1; 145C.15; 525.55, 
  1.11            subdivisions 1 and 2; 525.551, subdivisions 1 and 5; 
  1.12            525.9212; and 609.215, subdivision 3; Minnesota 
  1.13            Statutes 1997 Supplement, sections 149A.80, 
  1.14            subdivision 2; 253B.04, subdivision 1a; 253B.07, 
  1.15            subdivision 1; and 253B.092, subdivisions 2 and 6; 
  1.16            proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
  1.17            chapters 145B; and 145C. 
  1.18  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.19     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.335, 
  1.20  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.21     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITIONS.] For the purposes of this 
  1.22  section, the following terms have the meanings given them: 
  1.23     (a) "Patient" means a natural person who has received 
  1.24  health care services from a provider for treatment or 
  1.25  examination of a medical, psychiatric, or mental condition, the 
  1.26  surviving spouse and parents of a deceased patient, or a person 
  1.27  the patient designates appoints in writing as a representative, 
  1.28  including a health care agent acting pursuant to chapter 145C, 
  1.29  unless the authority of the agent has been limited by the 
  1.30  principal in the principal's health care directive.  Except for 
  1.31  minors who have received health care services pursuant to 
  2.1   sections 144.341 to 144.347, in the case of a minor, patient 
  2.2   includes a parent or guardian, or a person acting as a parent or 
  2.3   guardian in the absence of a parent or guardian. 
  2.4      (b) "Provider" means (1) any person who furnishes health 
  2.5   care services and is licensed to furnish the services pursuant 
  2.6   to chapter 147, 148, 148B, 150A, 151, or 153; (2) a home care 
  2.7   provider licensed under section 144A.46; (3) a health care 
  2.8   facility licensed pursuant to this chapter or chapter 144A; (4) 
  2.9   a physician assistant registered under chapter 147A; and (5) an 
  2.10  unlicensed mental health practitioner regulated pursuant to 
  2.11  sections 148B.60 to 148B.71. 
  2.12     (c) "Individually identifiable form" means a form in which 
  2.13  the patient is or can be identified as the subject of the health 
  2.14  records. 
  2.15     Sec. 2.  [145B.011] [APPLICATION OF CHAPTER.] 
  2.16     This chapter applies only to living wills executed before 
  2.17  August 1, 1998.  If a document purporting to be a living will is 
  2.18  executed on or after August 1, 1998, its legal sufficiency, 
  2.19  interpretation, and enforcement must be determined under the 
  2.20  provisions of chapter 145C in effect on the date of its 
  2.21  execution. 
  2.22     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.01, is 
  2.23  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  2.24     Subd. 1a.  [ACT IN GOOD FAITH.] "Act in good faith" means 
  2.25  to act consistently with a legally sufficient health care 
  2.26  directive of the principal, a living will executed under chapter 
  2.27  145B, a declaration regarding intrusive mental health treatment 
  2.28  executed under section 253B.03, subdivision 6d, or information 
  2.29  otherwise made known by the principal, unless the actor has 
  2.30  actual knowledge of the modification or revocation of the 
  2.31  information expressed.  If these sources of information do not 
  2.32  provide adequate guidance to the actor, "act in good faith" 
  2.33  means acting in the best interests of the principal, considering 
  2.34  the principal's overall general health condition and prognosis 
  2.35  and the principal's personal values to the extent known.  
  2.36  Notwithstanding any instruction of the principal, a health care 
  3.1   agent, health care provider, or any other person is not acting 
  3.2   in good faith if the person violates the provisions of section 
  3.3   609.215 prohibiting assisted suicide. 
  3.4      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.01, is 
  3.5   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  3.6      Subd. 1b.  [DECISION-MAKING CAPACITY.] "Decision-making 
  3.7   capacity" means the ability to understand the significant 
  3.8   benefits, risks, and alternatives to proposed health care and to 
  3.9   make and communicate a health care decision. 
  3.10     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.01, 
  3.11  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  3.12     Subd. 2.  [HEALTH CARE AGENT.] "Health care agent" means an 
  3.13  individual age 18 or older who is designated appointed by a 
  3.14  principal in a durable health care power of attorney for health 
  3.15  care to make health care decisions on behalf of a the principal 
  3.16  and has consented to act in that capacity.  An agent "Health 
  3.17  care agent" may also be referred to as "attorney in fact agent." 
  3.18     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.01, 
  3.19  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  3.20     Subd. 3.  [DURABLE HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH 
  3.21  CARE.] "Durable Health care power of attorney for health care" 
  3.22  means an instrument authorizing an agent appointing one or more 
  3.23  health care agents to make health care decisions for the 
  3.24  principal if the principal is unable, in the judgment of the 
  3.25  attending physician, to make or communicate health care 
  3.26  decisions. 
  3.27     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.01, 
  3.28  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  3.29     Subd. 4.  [HEALTH CARE.] "Health care" means any care, 
  3.30  treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or treat 
  3.31  otherwise affect a person's physical or mental condition.  
  3.32  "Health care" includes the provision of nutrition or hydration 
  3.33  parenterally or through intubation but does not include any 
  3.34  treatment, service, or procedure that violates the provisions of 
  3.35  section 609.215 prohibiting assisted suicide.  "Health 
  3.36  care" does not include intrusive mental health treatment as 
  4.1   defined in section 253B.03, subdivision 6b, unless the durable 
  4.2   power of attorney for health care specifically applies to 
  4.3   decisions relating to intrusive mental health treatment also 
  4.4   includes the establishment of a person's abode within or without 
  4.5   the state and personal security safeguards for a person, to the 
  4.6   extent decisions on these matters relate to the health care 
  4.7   needs of the person. 
  4.8      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.01, is 
  4.9   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  4.10     Subd. 5a.  [HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE.] "Health care directive" 
  4.11  means a written instrument that complies with section 145C.03 
  4.12  and includes one or more health care instructions, a health care 
  4.13  power of attorney, or both; or a durable power of attorney for 
  4.14  health care executed under this chapter before August 1, 1998. 
  4.15     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.01, is 
  4.16  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  4.17     Subd. 7a.  [HEALTH CARE INSTRUCTION.] "Health care 
  4.18  instruction" means a written statement of the principal's 
  4.19  values, preferences, guidelines, or directions regarding health 
  4.20  care. 
  4.21     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.01, 
  4.22  subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
  4.23     Subd. 8.  [PRINCIPAL.] "Principal" means an individual age 
  4.24  18 or older who has executed a durable power of attorney for 
  4.25  health care directive. 
  4.26     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.01, is 
  4.27  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  4.28     Subd. 9.  [REASONABLY AVAILABLE.] "Reasonably available" 
  4.29  means able to be contacted and willing and able to act in a 
  4.30  timely manner considering the urgency of the principal's health 
  4.31  care needs. 
  4.32     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.02, is 
  4.33  amended to read: 
  4.34     145C.02 [DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE 
  4.35  DIRECTIVE.] 
  4.36     A durable power of attorney for health care under this 
  5.1   chapter authorizes the agent to make health care decisions for 
  5.2   the principal when the principal is unable, in the judgment of 
  5.3   the principal's attending physician, to make or communicate 
  5.4   health care decisions.  The durable power of attorney for health 
  5.5   care must substantially comply with the requirements of this 
  5.6   chapter.  An instrument executed prior to August 1, 1993, 
  5.7   purporting to create a durable power of attorney for health care 
  5.8   is valid if the document specifically authorizes the agent to 
  5.9   make health care decisions and is executed in compliance with 
  5.10  section 145C.03.  A principal with the capacity to do so may 
  5.11  execute a health care directive.  A health care directive may 
  5.12  include one or more health care instructions to direct health 
  5.13  care providers, others assisting with health care, family 
  5.14  members, and a health care agent.  A health care directive may 
  5.15  include a health care power of attorney to appoint a health care 
  5.16  agent to make health care decisions for the principal when the 
  5.17  principal, in the judgment of the principal's attending 
  5.18  physician, lacks decision-making capacity, unless otherwise 
  5.19  specified in the health care directive. 
  5.20     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.03, is 
  5.21  amended to read: 
  5.22     145C.03 [REQUIREMENTS.] 
  5.23     Subdivision 1.  [EXECUTION LEGAL SUFFICIENCY.] A durable 
  5.24  power of attorney for health care must be signed by the 
  5.25  principal or in the principal's name by some other individual 
  5.26  acting in the principal's presence and by the principal's 
  5.27  direction.  A durable power of attorney for health care must 
  5.28  contain the date of its execution and must be witnessed or 
  5.29  acknowledged by one of the following methods: 
  5.30     (1) signed by at least two individuals age 18 or older each 
  5.31  of whom witnessed either the signing of the instrument by the 
  5.32  principal or the principal's acknowledgment of the signature; or 
  5.33     (2) acknowledged by the principal before a notary public 
  5.34  who is not the agent.  To be legally sufficient in this state, a 
  5.35  health care directive must: 
  5.36     (1) be in writing; 
  6.1      (2) be dated; 
  6.2      (3) state the principal's name; 
  6.3      (4) be executed by a principal with capacity to do so with 
  6.4   the signature of the principal or with the signature of another 
  6.5   person authorized by the principal to sign on behalf of the 
  6.6   principal; 
  6.7      (5) contain verification of the principal's signature or 
  6.8   the signature of the person authorized by the principal to sign 
  6.9   on behalf of the principal, either by a notary public or by 
  6.10  witnesses as provided under this chapter; and 
  6.11     (6) include a health care instruction, a health care power 
  6.12  of attorney, or both. 
  6.13     Subd. 2.  [INDIVIDUALS INELIGIBLE TO ACT AS HEALTH CARE 
  6.14  AGENT.] (a) An individual appointed by the principal under 
  6.15  section 145C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), to make the 
  6.16  determination of the principal's decision-making capacity is not 
  6.17  eligible to act as the health care agent. 
  6.18     (b) The following individuals are not eligible to act as 
  6.19  the health care agent in a durable power of attorney for health 
  6.20  care, unless the individual designated appointed is related to 
  6.21  the principal by blood, marriage, registered domestic 
  6.22  partnership, or adoption, or unless the principal has otherwise 
  6.23  specified in the health care directive: 
  6.24     (1) a health care provider attending the principal on the 
  6.25  date of execution of the health care directive or on the date 
  6.26  the health care agent must make decisions for the principal; or 
  6.27     (2) an employee of a health care provider attending the 
  6.28  principal on the date of execution of the health care directive 
  6.29  or on the date the health care agent must make decisions for the 
  6.30  principal.  
  6.31     Subd. 3.  [INDIVIDUALS INELIGIBLE TO ACT AS WITNESSES OR 
  6.32  NOTARY PUBLIC.] The (a) A health care agent designated or 
  6.33  alternate health care agent appointed in the durable power of 
  6.34  attorney for a health care power of attorney may not act as a 
  6.35  witness or notary public for the execution of the durable power 
  6.36  of attorney for health care directive that includes the health 
  7.1   care power of attorney. 
  7.2      (b) At least one witness to the execution of the durable 
  7.3   power of attorney for health care directive must not be a health 
  7.4   care provider providing direct care to the principal or an 
  7.5   employee of a health care provider providing direct care to the 
  7.6   principal on the date of execution.  A person notarizing a 
  7.7   health care directive may be an employee of a health care 
  7.8   provider providing direct care to the principal. 
  7.9      Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.04, is 
  7.10  amended to read: 
  7.11     145C.04 [EXECUTED IN ANOTHER STATE.] 
  7.12     (a) A durable power of attorney for health care or similar 
  7.13  document executed in another state or jurisdiction in compliance 
  7.14  with the law of that state or jurisdiction is valid and 
  7.15  enforceable in this state, to the extent the document is 
  7.16  consistent with the laws of this state health care directive or 
  7.17  similar document executed in another state or jurisdiction is 
  7.18  legally sufficient under this chapter if it: 
  7.19     (1) complies with the law of the state or jurisdiction in 
  7.20  which it was executed; or 
  7.21     (2) complies with section 145C.03. 
  7.22     (b) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to 
  7.23  authorize a directive or similar document to override the 
  7.24  provisions of section 609.215 prohibiting assisted suicide. 
  7.25     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.05, 
  7.26  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  7.27     Subdivision 1.  [CONTENT.] A durable power of attorney for 
  7.28  health care directive executed pursuant to this chapter may, but 
  7.29  need not, be in the following form: 
  7.30     "I appoint .......... as my agent (my attorney in fact) to 
  7.31  make any health care decision for me when, in the judgment of my 
  7.32  attending physician, I am unable to make or communicate the 
  7.33  decision myself and my agent consents to make or communicate the 
  7.34  decision on my behalf. 
  7.35     My agent has the power to make any health care decision for 
  7.36  me.  This power includes the power to give consent, to refuse 
  8.1   consent, or to withdraw consent to any care, treatment, service, 
  8.2   or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or treat my physical or 
  8.3   mental condition, including giving me food or water by 
  8.4   artificial means.  My agent has the power, where consistent with 
  8.5   the laws of this state, to make a health care decision to 
  8.6   withhold or stop health care necessary to keep me alive.  It is 
  8.7   my intention that my agent or any alternative agent has a 
  8.8   personal obligation to me to make health care decisions for me 
  8.9   consistent with my expressed wishes.  I understand, however, 
  8.10  that my agent or any alternative agent has no legal duty to act. 
  8.11     My agent and any alternative agents have consented to act 
  8.12  as my agent.  My agent and any alternative agents have been 
  8.13  notified that they will be nominated as a guardian or 
  8.14  conservator for me. 
  8.15     My agent must act consistently with my desires as stated in 
  8.16  this document or as otherwise made known by me to my agent. 
  8.17     My agent has the same right as I would have to receive, 
  8.18  review, and obtain copies of my medical records and to consent 
  8.19  to disclosure of those records." contained in section 145C.16. 
  8.20     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.05, 
  8.21  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  8.22     Subd. 2.  [ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS THAT MAY BE INCLUDED.] The 
  8.23  durable power of attorney for (a) A health care directive may 
  8.24  include additional provisions consistent with this chapter, 
  8.25  including, but not limited to: 
  8.26     (1) the designation of one or more alternative alternate 
  8.27  health care agents to act if the named health care agent is 
  8.28  unable, unavailable, or unwilling not reasonably available to 
  8.29  serve; 
  8.30     (2) specific instructions to the agent or any alternative 
  8.31  agents directions to joint health care agents regarding the 
  8.32  process or standards by which the health care agents are to 
  8.33  reach a health care decision for the principal, and a statement 
  8.34  whether joint health care agents may act independently of one 
  8.35  another; 
  8.36     (3) limitations, if any, on the right of the health care 
  9.1   agent or any alternative alternate health care agents to 
  9.2   receive, review, obtain copies of, and consent to the disclosure 
  9.3   of the principal's medical records; 
  9.4      (4) limitations, if any, on the nomination of the health 
  9.5   care agent as guardian or conservator of the person for purposes 
  9.6   of section 525.544; and 
  9.7      (5) a document of gift for the purpose of making an 
  9.8   anatomical gift, as set forth in sections 525.921 to 525.9224, 
  9.9   or an amendment to, revocation of, or refusal to make an 
  9.10  anatomical gift.; 
  9.11     (6) a declaration regarding intrusive mental health 
  9.12  treatment under section 253B.03, subdivision 6d, or a statement 
  9.13  that the health care agent is authorized to give consent for the 
  9.14  principal under section 253B.04, subdivision 1a; 
  9.15     (7) a funeral directive as provided in section 149A.80, 
  9.16  subdivision 2; 
  9.17     (8) limitations, if any, to the effect of dissolution or 
  9.18  annulment of marriage or termination of domestic partnership on 
  9.19  the appointment of a health care agent under section 145C.09, 
  9.20  subdivision 2; 
  9.21     (9) specific reasons why a principal wants a health care 
  9.22  provider or an employee of a health care provider attending the 
  9.23  principal to be eligible to act as the principal's health care 
  9.24  agent; 
  9.25     (10) health care instructions by a woman of child bearing 
  9.26  age regarding how she would like her pregnancy, if any, to 
  9.27  affect health care decisions made on her behalf; and 
  9.28     (11) health care instructions regarding artificially 
  9.29  administered nutrition or hydration. 
  9.30     (b) A health care directive may include a statement of the 
  9.31  circumstances under which the directive becomes effective other 
  9.32  than upon the judgment of the principal's attending physician in 
  9.33  the following situations: 
  9.34     (1) a principal who in good faith generally selects and 
  9.35  depends upon spiritual means or prayer for the treatment or care 
  9.36  of disease or remedial care and does not have an attending 
 10.1   physician, may include a statement appointing an individual who 
 10.2   may determine the principal's decision-making capacity; and 
 10.3      (2) a principal who in good faith does not generally select 
 10.4   a physician or a health care facility for the principal's health 
 10.5   care needs may include a statement appointing an individual who 
 10.6   may determine the principal's decision-making capacity, provided 
 10.7   that if the need to determine the principal's capacity arises 
 10.8   when the principal is receiving care under the direction of an 
 10.9   attending physician in a health care facility, the determination 
 10.10  must be made by an attending physician after consultation with 
 10.11  the appointed individual. 
 10.12     If a person appointed under clause (1) or (2) is not 
 10.13  reasonably available and the principal is receiving care under 
 10.14  the direction of an attending physician in a health care 
 10.15  facility, an attending physician shall determine the principal's 
 10.16  decision-making capacity. 
 10.17     (c) A health care directive may authorize a health care 
 10.18  agent to make health care decisions for a principal even though 
 10.19  the principal retains decision-making capacity. 
 10.20     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.06, is 
 10.21  amended to read: 
 10.22     145C.06 [WHEN EFFECTIVE.] 
 10.23     (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a durable power of 
 10.24  attorney for A health care directive is effective for a health 
 10.25  care decision when: 
 10.26     (1) it has been executed in accordance with meets the 
 10.27  requirements of section 145C.03, subdivision 1; and 
 10.28     (2) the principal is unable, in the determination of the 
 10.29  attending physician of the principal, to make or communicate 
 10.30  that health care decision and the agent consents to make or 
 10.31  communicate the decision lacks decision-making capacity to make 
 10.32  the health care decision; or if other conditions for 
 10.33  effectiveness otherwise specified by the principal have been met.
 10.34     A health care directive is not effective for a health care 
 10.35  decision when the principal, in the determination of the 
 10.36  attending physician of the principal, recovers decision-making 
 11.1   capacity; or if other conditions for effectiveness otherwise 
 11.2   specified by the principal have been met. 
 11.3      (b) If the principal states in the durable power of 
 11.4   attorney that the principal does not have an attending physician 
 11.5   because the principal in good faith generally selects and 
 11.6   depends upon spiritual means or prayer for the treatment or care 
 11.7   of disease or remedial care, the principal may designate an 
 11.8   individual in the durable power of attorney for health care who 
 11.9   may certify in a writing acknowledged before a notary public 
 11.10  that the principal is unable to make or communicate a health 
 11.11  care decision.  The requirements of section 145C.03, 
 11.12  subdivisions 2 and 3, relating to the eligibility of a health 
 11.13  care provider attending the principal or the provider's employee 
 11.14  to act as an agent or witness apply to an individual designated 
 11.15  under this paragraph. 
 11.16     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.07, is 
 11.17  amended to read: 
 11.18     145C.07 [AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF HEALTH CARE AGENT.] 
 11.19     Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORITY.] The health care agent has 
 11.20  authority to make any particular health care decision only if 
 11.21  the principal is unable lacks decision-making capacity, in the 
 11.22  determination of the attending physician, to make or communicate 
 11.23  that health care decision; or if other conditions for 
 11.24  effectiveness otherwise specified by the principal have been 
 11.25  met.  The agent does not have authority to consent to a 
 11.26  voluntary commitment under chapter 253B.  The physician or other 
 11.27  health care provider shall continue to obtain the principal's 
 11.28  informed consent to all health care decisions for which the 
 11.29  principal is capable of informed consent has decision-making 
 11.30  capacity, unless other conditions for effectiveness otherwise 
 11.31  specified by the principal have been met.  An alternate health 
 11.32  care agent has authority to act if the primary health care agent 
 11.33  is not reasonably available to act. 
 11.34     Subd. 2.  [HEALTH CARE AGENT AS GUARDIAN.] Except as 
 11.35  otherwise provided in the durable power of attorney for health 
 11.36  care Unless the principal has otherwise specified in the health 
 12.1   care directive, the appointment of the health care agent in a 
 12.2   durable power of attorney for health care directive is 
 12.3   considered a nomination of a guardian or conservator of the 
 12.4   person for purposes of section 525.544. 
 12.5      Subd. 3.  [DUTIES.] In exercising the authority under the 
 12.6   durable power of attorney for a health care directive, the a 
 12.7   health care agent has a duty to act in accordance with the 
 12.8   desires of the principal as expressed in the durable power of 
 12.9   attorney for health care, as expressed in a living will under 
 12.10  chapter 145B or in a declaration regarding intrusive mental 
 12.11  health treatment under section 253B.03, subdivision 6d, or as 
 12.12  otherwise made known by the principal to the agent at any time.  
 12.13  If the principal's desires are not known or cannot be determined 
 12.14  from information known to the agent, the agent has a duty to act 
 12.15  in the best interests of the principal taking into account the 
 12.16  principal's overall medical condition and prognosis good faith.  
 12.17  An A health care agent or any alternative alternate health care 
 12.18  agent has a personal obligation to the principal to make health 
 12.19  care decisions authorized by the durable health care power of 
 12.20  attorney for health care, but this obligation does not 
 12.21  constitute a legal duty to act. 
 12.22     Subd. 4.  [INCONSISTENCIES AMONG DOCUMENTS.] In the event 
 12.23  of inconsistency between the designation appointment of a proxy 
 12.24  under chapter 145B or section 253B.03, subdivision 6d, or of an 
 12.25  a health care agent under this chapter, the most 
 12.26  recent designation appointment takes precedence.  In the event 
 12.27  of other inconsistencies among documents executed under this 
 12.28  chapter, under chapter 145B, or under section 253B.03, 
 12.29  subdivision 6d, or 525.544, or other legally sufficient 
 12.30  documents, the provisions of the most recently executed document 
 12.31  take precedence only to the extent of the inconsistency. 
 12.32     Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.08, is 
 12.33  amended to read: 
 12.34     145C.08 [AUTHORITY TO REVIEW MEDICAL RECORDS.] 
 12.35     An A health care agent acting pursuant to a durable power 
 12.36  of attorney for health care directive has the same right as the 
 13.1   principal to receive, review, and obtain copies of medical 
 13.2   records of the principal, and to consent to the disclosure of 
 13.3   medical records of the principal, unless the durable power of 
 13.4   attorney for health care expressly provides otherwise principal 
 13.5   has otherwise specified in the health care directive. 
 13.6      Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.09, is 
 13.7   amended to read: 
 13.8      145C.09 [REVOCATION OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY HEALTH 
 13.9   CARE DIRECTIVE.] 
 13.10     Subdivision 1.  [REVOCATION.] The A principal with the 
 13.11  capacity to do so may revoke a durable power of attorney for 
 13.12  health care directive in whole or in part at any time by doing 
 13.13  any of the following: 
 13.14     (1) canceling, defacing, obliterating, burning, tearing, or 
 13.15  otherwise destroying the durable power of attorney for health 
 13.16  care directive instrument or directing another in the presence 
 13.17  of the principal to destroy the durable power of attorney for 
 13.18  health care directive instrument, with the intent to revoke the 
 13.19  health care directive in whole or in part; 
 13.20     (2) executing a statement, in writing and dated, expressing 
 13.21  the principal's intent to revoke the durable power of attorney 
 13.22  for health care directive in whole or in part; 
 13.23     (3) verbally expressing the principal's intent to revoke 
 13.24  the durable power of attorney for health care directive in whole 
 13.25  or in part in the presence of two witnesses who do not have to 
 13.26  be present at the same time; or 
 13.27     (4) executing a subsequent durable power of attorney for 
 13.28  health care instrument directive, to the extent the subsequent 
 13.29  instrument is inconsistent with any prior instrument. 
 13.30     Subd. 2.  [EFFECT OF DISSOLUTION OR ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE 
 13.31  OR TERMINATION OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP ON APPOINTMENT OF HEALTH 
 13.32  CARE AGENT.] Unless the durable power of attorney for health 
 13.33  care expressly provides otherwise principal has otherwise 
 13.34  specified in the health care directive, the appointment by the 
 13.35  principal of the principal's spouse or registered domestic 
 13.36  partner as health care agent under a durable health care power 
 14.1   of attorney for health care is revoked by the commencement of 
 14.2   proceedings for dissolution, annulment, or termination of the 
 14.3   principal's marriage or commencement of proceedings for 
 14.4   termination of the principal's registered domestic partnership. 
 14.5      Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.10, is 
 14.6   amended to read: 
 14.7      145C.10 [PRESUMPTIONS.] 
 14.8      (a) The principal is presumed to have the capacity to 
 14.9   appoint an agent to make execute a health care decisions 
 14.10  directive and to revoke a durable power of attorney for health 
 14.11  care directive, absent clear and convincing evidence to the 
 14.12  contrary. 
 14.13     (b) A health care provider or health care agent may presume 
 14.14  that a durable power of attorney for health care directive is 
 14.15  valid legally sufficient absent actual knowledge to the contrary.
 14.16  A health care directive is presumed to be properly executed, 
 14.17  absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. 
 14.18     It is presumed that an (c) A health care agent, and a 
 14.19  health care provider acting pursuant to the direction of an a 
 14.20  health care agent, are presumed to be acting in good faith and 
 14.21  in the best interests of the principal, absent clear and 
 14.22  convincing evidence to the contrary. 
 14.23     (d) A health care directive is presumed to remain in effect 
 14.24  until the principal modifies or revokes it, absent clear and 
 14.25  convincing evidence to the contrary. 
 14.26     (e) This chapter does not create a presumption concerning 
 14.27  the intention of an individual who has not executed a durable 
 14.28  power of attorney for health care directive and, except as 
 14.29  otherwise provided by section 145C.15, does not impair or 
 14.30  supersede any right or responsibility of an individual to 
 14.31  consent, refuse to consent, or withdraw consent to health care 
 14.32  on behalf of another in the absence of a durable power of 
 14.33  attorney for health care directive. 
 14.34     (f) A copy of a health care directive is presumed to be a 
 14.35  true and accurate copy of the executed original, absent clear 
 14.36  and convincing evidence to the contrary, and must be given the 
 15.1   same effect as an original. 
 15.2      (g) When a patient lacks decision-making capacity and is 
 15.3   pregnant, and in reasonable medical judgment there is a real 
 15.4   possibility that if health care to sustain her life and the life 
 15.5   of the fetus is provided the fetus could survive to the point of 
 15.6   live birth, the health care provider shall presume that the 
 15.7   patient would have wanted such health care to be provided, even 
 15.8   if the withholding or withdrawal of such health care would be 
 15.9   authorized were she not pregnant.  This presumption is negated 
 15.10  by health care directive provisions described in section 
 15.11  145C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (10), that are to 
 15.12  the contrary, or, in the absence of such provisions, by clear 
 15.13  and convincing evidence that the patient's wishes, while 
 15.14  competent, were to the contrary. 
 15.15     For purposes of this chapter, acting in good faith means 
 15.16  acting consistently with the desires of the principal as 
 15.17  expressed in the durable power of attorney for health care, as 
 15.18  expressed in a living will under chapter 145B or in a 
 15.19  declaration regarding intrusive mental health treatment under 
 15.20  section 253B.03, subdivision 6d, or otherwise made known by the 
 15.21  principal to the agent.  If the principal's desires are not 
 15.22  known or cannot be determined from information known to the 
 15.23  agent, acting in good faith means acting in the best interests 
 15.24  of the principal, taking into account the principal's overall 
 15.25  medical condition and prognosis. 
 15.26     Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.11, is 
 15.27  amended to read: 
 15.28     145C.11 [IMMUNITIES.] 
 15.29     Subdivision 1.  [HEALTH CARE AGENT.] An A health care agent 
 15.30  is not subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability for 
 15.31  any health care decision made in good faith pursuant to a 
 15.32  durable power of attorney for health care, unless the agent has 
 15.33  actual knowledge of the revocation of the durable power of 
 15.34  attorney for health care if the health care agent acts in good 
 15.35  faith. 
 15.36     Subd. 2.  [HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.] (a) With respect to 
 16.1   health care provided to a patient with a health care directive, 
 16.2   a health care provider is not subject to criminal prosecution, 
 16.3   civil liability, or professional disciplinary action if the 
 16.4   health care provider acts in good faith and in accordance with 
 16.5   applicable standards of care. 
 16.6      (b) A health care provider is not subject to criminal 
 16.7   prosecution, civil liability, or professional disciplinary 
 16.8   action if the health care provider relies on a health care 
 16.9   decision made by the health care agent and the following 
 16.10  requirements are satisfied: 
 16.11     (1) the health care provider believes in good faith that 
 16.12  the decision was made by an a health care agent authorized 
 16.13  appointed to make the decision and has no actual knowledge that 
 16.14  the durable power of attorney for health care directive has been 
 16.15  revoked; and 
 16.16     (2) the health care provider believes in good faith that 
 16.17  the decision is consistent with the desires of the principal as 
 16.18  expressed in the durable power of attorney for health care or 
 16.19  otherwise made known by the principal to the health care agent 
 16.20  is acting in good faith. 
 16.21     (b) (c) A health care provider who administers health care 
 16.22  necessary to keep the principal alive, despite a health care 
 16.23  decision of the health care agent to withhold or withdraw that 
 16.24  treatment, is not subject to criminal prosecution, civil 
 16.25  liability, or professional disciplinary action if that health 
 16.26  care provider promptly took all reasonable steps to: 
 16.27     (1) notify the health care agent of the health care 
 16.28  provider's unwillingness to comply; 
 16.29     (2) document the notification in the principal's medical 
 16.30  record; and 
 16.31     (3) permit the health care agent to arrange to transfer 
 16.32  care of the principal to another health care provider willing to 
 16.33  comply with the decision of the health care agent. 
 16.34     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.12, is 
 16.35  amended to read: 
 16.36     145C.12 [PROHIBITED PRACTICES.] 
 17.1      Subdivision 1.  [HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.] A health care 
 17.3   provider, health care service plan, insurer, self-insured 
 17.4   employee welfare benefit plan, or nonprofit hospital plan may 
 17.5   not condition admission to a facility, or the providing of 
 17.6   treatment or insurance, on the requirement that an individual 
 17.7   execute a durable power of attorney for health care directive. 
 17.8      Subd. 2.  [INSURANCE.] A policy of life insurance is not 
 17.9   legally impaired or invalidated in any manner by the withholding 
 17.10  or withdrawing of health care pursuant to the direction of an a 
 17.11  health care agent appointed pursuant to this chapter, or 
 17.12  pursuant to the implementation of health care instructions under 
 17.13  this chapter. 
 17.14     Sec. 24.  [145C.16] [SUGGESTED FORM.] 
 17.15     The following is a suggested form of a health care 
 17.16  directive and is not a required form. 
 17.17                      HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE 
 17.18     I, ..........................., understand this document 
 17.19  allows me to do ONE OR BOTH of the following: 
 17.20     PART I:  Name another person (called the health care agent) 
 17.21  to make health care decisions for me if I am unable to decide or 
 17.22  speak for myself.  My health care agent must make health care 
 17.23  decisions for me based on the instructions I provide in this 
 17.24  document (Part II), if any, the wishes I have made known to him 
 17.25  or her, or must act in my best interest if I have not made my 
 17.26  health care wishes known. 
 17.27     AND/OR 
 17.28     PART II:  Give health care instructions to guide others 
 17.29  making health care decisions for me.  If I have named a health 
 17.30  care agent, these instructions are to be used by the agent.  
 17.31  These instructions may also be used by my health care providers, 
 17.32  others assisting with my health care and my family, in the event 
 17.33  I cannot make decisions for myself. 
 17.34            PART I:  APPOINTMENT OF HEALTH CARE AGENT 
 17.35         THIS IS WHO I WANT TO MAKE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS
 17.36       FOR ME IF I AM UNABLE TO DECIDE OR SPEAK FOR MYSELF
 17.37     (I know I can change my agent or alternate agent at any 
 18.1      time and I know I do not have to appoint an agent or an 
 18.2      alternate agent) 
 18.3   NOTE:  If you appoint an agent, you should discuss this health 
 18.4   care directive with your agent and give your agent a copy.  If 
 18.5   you do not wish to appoint an agent, you may leave Part I blank 
 18.6   and go to Part II. 
 18.7      When I am unable to decide or speak for myself, I trust and 
 18.8   appoint .......................... to make health care decisions 
 18.9   for me.  This person is called my health care agent. 
 18.10     Relationship of my health care agent to me:  ......... 
 18.11  ............................................................... 
 18.12     Telephone number of my health care agent:  ........... 
 18.13  ............................................................... 
 18.14     Address of my health care agent:  .................... 
 18.15  .............................................................. 
 18.16     (OPTIONAL) APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE HEALTH CARE AGENT:  If 
 18.17  my health care agent is not reasonably available, I trust and 
 18.18  appoint .................... to be my health care agent instead. 
 18.19     Relationship of my alternate health care agent to me:  
 18.20  ............................................................... 
 18.21     Telephone number of my alternate health care agent:  
 18.22  ............................................................... 
 18.23     Address of my alternate health care agent:  ......... 
 18.24  ............................................................... 
 18.25      THIS IS WHAT I WANT MY HEALTH CARE AGENT TO BE ABLE TO
 18.26         DO IF I AM UNABLE TO DECIDE OR SPEAK FOR MYSELF
 18.27               (I know I can change these choices)
 18.28     My health care agent is automatically given the powers 
 18.29  listed below in (A) through (D).  My health care agent must 
 18.30  follow my health care instructions in this document or any other 
 18.31  instructions I have given to my agent.  If I have not given 
 18.32  health care instructions, then my agent must act in my best 
 18.33  interest. 
 18.34     Whenever I am unable to decide or speak for myself, my 
 18.35  health care agent has the power to: 
 18.36     (A) Make any health care decision for me.  This includes 
 19.1   the power to give, refuse, or withdraw consent to any care, 
 19.2   treatment, service, or procedures.  This includes deciding 
 19.3   whether to stop or not start health care that is keeping me or 
 19.4   might keep me alive, and deciding about intrusive mental health 
 19.5   treatment. 
 19.6      (B) Choose my health care providers. 
 19.7      (C) Choose where I live and receive care and support when 
 19.8   those choices relate to my health care needs. 
 19.9      (D) Review my medical records and have the same rights that 
 19.10  I would have to give my medical records to other people. 
 19.11     If I DO NOT want my health care agent to have a power 
 19.12  listed above in (A) through (D) OR if I want to LIMIT any power 
 19.13  in (A) through (D), I MUST say that here: 
 19.14  ..............................................................
 19.15  ............................................................... 
 19.16  ...............................................................
 19.17     My health care agent is NOT automatically given the powers 
 19.18  listed below in (1) and (2).  If I WANT my agent to have any of 
 19.19  the powers in (1) and (2), I must INITIAL the line in front of 
 19.20  the power; then my agent WILL HAVE that power. 
 19.21     ...  (1)  To decide whether to donate my organs when I die.
 19.22     ...  (2)  To decide what will happen with my body when I die
 19.23               (burial, cremation).
 19.24     If I want to say anything more about my health care agent's 
 19.25  powers or limits on the powers, I can say it here: 
 19.26  .................................................................
 19.27  .................................................................
 19.28  .................................................................
 19.29                PART II: HEALTH CARE INSTRUCTIONS 
 19.30  NOTE:  Complete this Part II if you wish to give health care 
 19.31  instructions.  If you appointed an agent in Part I, completing 
 19.32  this Part II is optional but would be very helpful to your 
 19.33  agent.  However, if you chose not to appoint an agent in Part I, 
 19.34  you MUST complete some or all of this Part II if you wish to 
 19.35  make a valid health care directive. 
 19.36     These are instructions for my health care when I am unable 
 20.1   to decide or speak for myself.  These instructions must be 
 20.2   followed (so long as they address my needs). 
 20.3        THESE ARE MY BELIEFS AND VALUES ABOUT MY HEALTH CARE 
 20.4      (I know I can change these choices or leave any of them 
 20.5      blank) 
 20.6      I want you to know these things about me to help you make 
 20.7   decisions about my health care: 
 20.8      My goals for my health care:  ..............................
 20.9   .................................................................
 20.10  .................................................................
 20.11     My fears about my health care:  ............................
 20.12  .................................................................
 20.13  .................................................................
 20.14     My spiritual or religious beliefs and traditions:  .........
 20.15  .................................................................
 20.16  .................................................................
 20.17     My beliefs about when life would be no longer worth 
 20.18  living:  ........................................................
 20.19  .................................................................
 20.20  .................................................................
 20.21     My thoughts about how my medical condition might affect my 
 20.22  family:  ........................................................
 20.23  .................................................................
 20.24  .................................................................
 20.25      THIS IS WHAT I WANT AND DO NOT WANT FOR MY HEALTH CARE
 20.26     (I know I can change these choices or leave any of them 
 20.27     blank) 
 20.28     Many medical treatments may be used to try to improve my 
 20.29  medical condition or to prolong my life.  Examples include 
 20.30  artificial breathing by a machine connected to a tube in the 
 20.31  lungs, artificial feeding or fluids through tubes, attempts to 
 20.32  start a stopped heart, surgeries, dialysis, antibiotics, and 
 20.33  blood transfusions.  Most medical treatments can be tried for a 
 20.34  while and then stopped if they do not help. 
 20.35     I have these views about my health care in these situations:
 20.36     (Note:  You can discuss general feelings, specific 
 21.1   treatments, or leave any of them blank) 
 21.2      If I had a reasonable chance of recovery, and were 
 21.3   temporarily unable to decide or speak for myself, I would want:  
 21.4   .................................................................
 21.5   .................................................................
 21.6   .................................................................
 21.7      If I were dying and unable to decide or speak for myself, I 
 21.8   would want:  ....................................................
 21.9   .................................................................
 21.10  .................................................................
 21.11     If I were permanently unconscious and unable to decide or 
 21.12  speak for myself, I would want:  ................................
 21.13  .................................................................
 21.14  .................................................................
 21.15     If I were completely dependent on others for my care and 
 21.16  unable to decide or speak for myself, I would want:  ............
 21.17  .................................................................
 21.18  .................................................................
 21.19     In all circumstances, my doctors will try to keep me 
 21.20  comfortable and reduce my pain.  This is how I feel about pain 
 21.21  relief if it would affect my alertness or if it could shorten my 
 21.22  life:  ..........................................................
 21.23  .................................................................
 21.24  .................................................................
 21.25     There are other things that I want or do not want for my 
 21.26  health care, if possible: 
 21.27     Who I would like to be my doctor:  .........................
 21.28  .................................................................
 21.29  .................................................................
 21.30     Where I would like to live to receive health care:  
 21.31  .................................................................
 21.32  .................................................................
 21.33  .................................................................
 21.34     Where I would like to die and other wishes I have about 
 21.35  dying:  .........................................................
 21.36  .................................................................
 22.1   .................................................................
 22.2      My wishes about donating parts of my body when I die:  .....
 22.3   .................................................................
 22.4   .................................................................
 22.5      My wishes about what happens to my body when I die 
 22.6   (cremation, burial):  ...........................................
 22.7   .................................................................
 22.8   .................................................................
 22.9      Any other things:  .........................................
 22.10  .................................................................
 22.11  .................................................................
 22.12               PART III:  MAKING THE DOCUMENT LEGAL
 22.13     This document must be signed by me.  It also must either be 
 22.14  verified by a notary public (Option 1) OR witnessed by two 
 22.15  witnesses (Option 2).  It must be dated when it is verified or 
 22.16  witnessed. 
 22.17     I am thinking clearly, I agree with everything that is 
 22.18  written in this document, and I have made this document 
 22.19  willingly. 
 22.20  ..........................................
 22.21  My Signature
 22.22       Date signed:    .....................
 22.23       Date of birth:  .....................
 22.24       Address:        ...................................
 22.25                       ...................................
 22.26  If I cannot sign my name, I can ask someone to sign this 
 22.27  document for me. 
 22.28  ..........................................
 22.29  Signature of the person who I asked to sign this document for me.
 22.30  ..........................................
 22.31  Printed name of the person who I asked to sign this document for 
 22.32  me. 
 22.33                     Option 1:  Notary Public
 22.34     In my presence on .................... (date), 
 22.35  ....................... (name) acknowledged his/her signature on 
 22.36  this document or acknowledged that he/she authorized the person 
 23.1   signing this document to sign on his/her behalf.  I am not named 
 23.2   as a health care agent or alternate health care agent in this 
 23.3   document. 
 23.4   .............................. 
 23.5   (Signature of Notary)                         (Notary Stamp)
 23.6                      Option 2:  Two Witnesses
 23.7      Two witnesses must sign.  Only one of the two witnesses can 
 23.8   be a health care provider or an employee of a health care 
 23.9   provider giving direct care to me on the day I sign this 
 23.10  document. 
 23.11  Witness One: 
 23.12     (i) In my presence on ............... (date), 
 23.13  ............... (name) acknowledged his/her signature on this 
 23.14  document or acknowledged that he/she authorized the person 
 23.15  signing this document to sign on his/her behalf. 
 23.16     (ii) I am at least 18 years of age. 
 23.17     (iii) I am not named as a health care agent or an alternate 
 23.18  health care agent in this document. 
 23.19     (iv) If I am a health care provider or an employee of a 
 23.20  health care provider giving direct care to the person listed 
 23.21  above in (A), I must initial this box:  [ ] 
 23.22     I certify that the information in (i) through (iv) is true 
 23.23  and correct. 
 23.24  ......................................
 23.25  (Signature of Witness One)
 23.26  Address:  ..........................................
 23.27            ..........................................
 23.28  Witness Two: 
 23.29     (i) In my presence on .............. (date), 
 23.30  ................. (name) acknowledged his/her signature on this 
 23.31  document or acknowledged that he/she authorized the person 
 23.32  signing this document to sign on his/her behalf. 
 23.33     (ii) I am at least 18 years of age. 
 23.34     (iii) I am not named as a health care agent or an alternate 
 23.35  health care agent in this document. 
 23.36     (iv) If I am a health care provider or an employee of a 
 24.1   health care provider giving direct care to the person listed 
 24.2   above in (A), I must initial this box:  [ ] 
 24.3      I certify that the information in (i) through (iv) is true 
 24.4   and correct. 
 24.5   ....................................
 24.6   (Signature of Witness Two)
 24.7   Address:  .........................................
 24.8             .........................................
 24.9   REMINDER:  Keep this document with your personal papers in a 
 24.10  safe place (not in a safe deposit box).  Give signed copies to 
 24.11  your doctors, family, close friends, health care agent, and 
 24.12  alternate health care agent.  Make sure your doctor is willing 
 24.13  to follow your wishes.  This document should be part of your 
 24.14  medical record at your physician's office and at the hospital, 
 24.15  home care agency, hospice, or nursing facility where you receive 
 24.16  your care. 
 24.17     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.13, 
 24.18  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 24.19     Subdivision 1.  [GROSS MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES.] Whoever 
 24.20  commits any of the following acts is guilty of a gross 
 24.21  misdemeanor: 
 24.22     (1) willfully conceals, cancels, defaces, or obliterates a 
 24.23  durable power of attorney for health care directive of a 
 24.24  principal without the consent of the principal; 
 24.25     (2) willfully conceals or withholds personal knowledge of a 
 24.26  revocation of a durable power of attorney for health care 
 24.27  directive; 
 24.28     (3) falsifies or forges a durable power of attorney for 
 24.29  health care directive or a revocation of the instrument; 
 24.30     (4) coerces or fraudulently induces another to execute a 
 24.31  durable power of attorney for health care directive; or 
 24.32     (5) requires or prohibits the execution of a durable power 
 24.33  of attorney for health care directive as a condition for being 
 24.34  insured for or receiving all or some health care services. 
 24.35     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145C.15, is 
 24.36  amended to read: 
 25.1      145C.15 [DUTIES OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE 
 25.2   LIFE-SUSTAINING HEALTH CARE.] 
 25.3      (a) If a proxy acting under chapter 145B or an a health 
 25.4   care agent acting under this chapter directs the provision of 
 25.5   health care, nutrition, or hydration that, in reasonable medical 
 25.6   judgment, has a significant possibility of sustaining the life 
 25.7   of the principal or declarant, a health care provider shall take 
 25.8   all reasonable steps to ensure the provision of the directed 
 25.9   health care, nutrition, or hydration if the provider has the 
 25.10  legal and actual capability of providing the health care either 
 25.11  itself or by transferring the principal or declarant to a health 
 25.12  care provider who has that capability.  Any transfer of a 
 25.13  principal or declarant under this paragraph must be done 
 25.14  promptly and, if necessary to preserve the life of the principal 
 25.15  or declarant, by emergency means.  This paragraph does not apply 
 25.16  if a living will under chapter 145B or a durable power of 
 25.17  attorney for health care directive indicates an intention to the 
 25.18  contrary. 
 25.19     (b) A health care provider who is unwilling to provide 
 25.20  directed health care under paragraph (a) that the provider has 
 25.21  the legal and actual capability of providing may transfer the 
 25.22  principal or declarant to another health care provider willing 
 25.23  to provide the directed health care but the provider shall take 
 25.24  all reasonable steps to ensure provision of the directed health 
 25.25  care until the principal or declarant is transferred. 
 25.26     (c) Nothing in this section alters any legal obligation or 
 25.27  lack of legal obligation of a health care provider to provide 
 25.28  health care to a principal or declarant who refuses, has 
 25.29  refused, or is unable to pay for the health care. 
 25.30     Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 25.31  149A.80, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 25.32     Subd. 2.  [DETERMINATION OF RIGHT TO CONTROL AND DUTY OF 
 25.33  DISPOSITION.] The right to control the disposition of the 
 25.34  remains of a deceased person, including the location and 
 25.35  conditions of final disposition, unless other directions have 
 25.36  been given by the decedent pursuant to subdivision 1, vests in, 
 26.1   and the duty of final disposition of the body devolves upon, the 
 26.2   following in the order named: 
 26.3      (1) the person designated appointed in a dated written 
 26.4   instrument signed by the decedent.  Written instrument includes, 
 26.5   but is not limited to, a health care directive executed under 
 26.6   chapter 145C.  Written instrument does not include a durable or 
 26.7   nondurable power of attorney which terminates on the death of 
 26.8   the principal pursuant to sections 523.08 and 523.09; 
 26.9      (2) the surviving, legally recognized spouse; 
 26.10     (3) the surviving biological or adopted child or children 
 26.11  of the decedent over the age of majority, provided that, in the 
 26.12  absence of actual knowledge to the contrary, a funeral director 
 26.13  or mortician may rely on instructions given by the child or 
 26.14  children who represent that they are the sole surviving child, 
 26.15  or that they constitute a majority of the surviving children; 
 26.16     (4) the surviving parent or parents of the decedent; 
 26.17     (5) the surviving biological or adopted sibling or siblings 
 26.18  of the decedent over the age of majority, provided that, in the 
 26.19  absence of actual knowledge to the contrary, a funeral director 
 26.20  or mortician may rely on instructions given by the sibling or 
 26.21  siblings who represent that they are the sole surviving sibling, 
 26.22  or that they constitute a majority of the surviving siblings; 
 26.23     (6) the person or persons respectively in the next degree 
 26.24  of kinship in the order named by law to inherit the estate of 
 26.25  the decedent; and 
 26.26     (7) the appropriate public or court authority, as required 
 26.27  by law. 
 26.28     For purposes of this subdivision, the appropriate public or 
 26.29  court authority includes the county board of the county in which 
 26.30  the death occurred if the person dies without apparent financial 
 26.31  means to provide for final disposition or the district court in 
 26.32  the county in which the death occurred. 
 26.33     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 26.34  253B.04, subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 
 26.35     Subd. 1a.  [VOLUNTARY TREATMENT OR ADMISSION FOR PERSONS 
 26.36  WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.] (a) A person with a mental illness may 
 27.1   seek or voluntarily agree to accept treatment or admission to a 
 27.2   facility.  If the mental health provider determines that the 
 27.3   person lacks the capacity to give informed consent for the 
 27.4   treatment or admission, and in the absence of a durable power of 
 27.5   attorney for health care power of attorney that authorizes 
 27.6   consent, the designated agency or its designee may give informed 
 27.7   consent for mental health treatment or admission to a treatment 
 27.8   facility on behalf of the person. 
 27.9      (b) The designated agency shall apply the following 
 27.10  criteria in determining the person's ability to give informed 
 27.11  consent: 
 27.12     (1) whether the person demonstrates an awareness of the 
 27.13  person's illness, and the reasons for treatment, its risks, 
 27.14  benefits and alternatives, and the possible consequences of 
 27.15  refusing treatment; and 
 27.16     (2) whether the person communicates verbally or nonverbally 
 27.17  a clear choice concerning treatment that is a reasoned one, not 
 27.18  based on delusion, even though it may not be in the person's 
 27.19  best interests. 
 27.20     (c) The basis for the designated agency's decision that the 
 27.21  person lacks the capacity to give informed consent for treatment 
 27.22  or admission, and that the patient has voluntarily accepted 
 27.23  treatment or admission, must be documented in writing. 
 27.24     (d) A mental health provider that provides treatment in 
 27.25  reliance on the written consent given by the designated agency 
 27.26  under this subdivision is not civilly or criminally liable for 
 27.27  performing treatment without consent.  This paragraph does not 
 27.28  affect any other liability that may result from the manner in 
 27.29  which the treatment is performed. 
 27.30     (e) A person who receives treatment or is admitted to a 
 27.31  facility under this subdivision has the right to refuse 
 27.32  treatment at any time or to be released from a facility as 
 27.33  provided under subdivision 2.  The person or any interested 
 27.34  person acting on the person's behalf may seek court review 
 27.35  within five days for a determination of whether the person's 
 27.36  agreement to accept treatment or admission is voluntary.  At the 
 28.1   time a person agrees to treatment or admission to a facility 
 28.2   under this subdivision, the designated agency or its designee 
 28.3   shall inform the person in writing of the person's rights under 
 28.4   this paragraph. 
 28.5      (f) This subdivision does not authorize the administration 
 28.6   of neuroleptic medications.  Neuroleptic medications may be 
 28.7   administered only as provided in section 253B.092. 
 28.8      Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 28.9   253B.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 28.10     Subdivision 1.  [PREPETITION SCREENING.] (a) Prior to 
 28.11  filing a petition for commitment of or early intervention for a 
 28.12  proposed patient, an interested person shall apply to the 
 28.13  designated agency in the county of the proposed patient's 
 28.14  residence or presence for conduct of a preliminary 
 28.15  investigation, except when the proposed patient has been 
 28.16  acquitted of a crime under section 611.026 and the county 
 28.17  attorney is required to file a petition for commitment.  The 
 28.18  designated agency shall appoint a screening team to conduct an 
 28.19  investigation which shall include:  
 28.20     (i) a personal interview with the proposed patient and 
 28.21  other individuals who appear to have knowledge of the condition 
 28.22  of the proposed patient.  If the proposed patient is not 
 28.23  interviewed, reasons must be documented; 
 28.24     (ii) identification and investigation of specific alleged 
 28.25  conduct which is the basis for application; 
 28.26     (iii) identification, exploration, and listing of the 
 28.27  reasons for rejecting or recommending alternatives to 
 28.28  involuntary placement; and 
 28.29     (iv) in the case of a commitment based on mental illness, 
 28.30  the following information, if it is known or available:  
 28.31  information that may be relevant to the administration of 
 28.32  neuroleptic medications, if necessary, including the existence 
 28.33  of a declaration under section 253B.03, subdivision 6d, or a 
 28.34  durable power of attorney for health care directive under 
 28.35  chapter 145C or a guardian, conservator, proxy, 
 28.36  or attorney-in-fact agent with authority to make health care 
 29.1   decisions for the proposed patient; information regarding the 
 29.2   capacity of the proposed patient to make decisions regarding 
 29.3   administration of neuroleptic medication; and whether the 
 29.4   proposed patient is likely to consent or refuse consent to 
 29.5   administration of the medication.  
 29.6      (b) In conducting the investigation required by this 
 29.7   subdivision, the screening team shall have access to all 
 29.8   relevant medical records of proposed patients currently in 
 29.9   treatment facilities.  Data collected pursuant to this clause 
 29.10  shall be considered private data on individuals.  The 
 29.11  prepetition screening report is not admissible in any court 
 29.12  proceedings unrelated to the commitment proceedings. 
 29.13     (c) When the prepetition screening team recommends 
 29.14  commitment, a written report shall be sent to the county 
 29.15  attorney for the county in which the petition is to be filed. 
 29.16     (d) The prepetition screening team shall refuse to support 
 29.17  a petition if the investigation does not disclose evidence 
 29.18  sufficient to support commitment.  Notice of the prepetition 
 29.19  screening team's decision shall be provided to the prospective 
 29.20  petitioner.  
 29.21     (e) If the interested person wishes to proceed with a 
 29.22  petition contrary to the recommendation of the prepetition 
 29.23  screening team, application may be made directly to the county 
 29.24  attorney, who may determine whether or not to proceed with the 
 29.25  petition.  Notice of the county attorney's determination shall 
 29.26  be provided to the interested party.  
 29.27     (f) If the proposed patient has been acquitted of a crime 
 29.28  under section 611.026, the county attorney shall apply to the 
 29.29  designated county agency in the county in which the acquittal 
 29.30  took place for a preliminary investigation unless substantially 
 29.31  the same information relevant to the proposed patient's current 
 29.32  mental condition, as could be obtained by a preliminary 
 29.33  investigation, is part of the court record in the criminal 
 29.34  proceeding or is contained in the report of a mental examination 
 29.35  conducted in connection with the criminal proceeding.  If a 
 29.36  court petitions for commitment pursuant to the rules of criminal 
 30.1   or juvenile procedure or a county attorney petitions pursuant to 
 30.2   acquittal of a criminal charge under section 611.026, the 
 30.3   prepetition investigation, if required by this section, shall be 
 30.4   completed within seven days after the filing of the petition.  
 30.5      Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 30.6   253B.092, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 30.7      Subd. 2.  [ADMINISTRATION WITHOUT JUDICIAL REVIEW.] 
 30.8   Neuroleptic medications may be administered without judicial 
 30.9   review in the following circumstances: 
 30.10     (1) the patient has the capacity to make an informed 
 30.11  decision under subdivision 4; 
 30.12     (2) the patient does not have the present capacity to 
 30.13  consent to the administration of neuroleptic medication, but 
 30.14  prepared a durable power of attorney for health care directive 
 30.15  under chapter 145C or a declaration under section 253B.03, 
 30.16  subdivision 6d, requesting treatment or authorizing an agent or 
 30.17  proxy to request treatment, and the agent or proxy has requested 
 30.18  the treatment; 
 30.19     (3) a substitute decision-maker appointed by the court 
 30.20  consents to the administration of the neuroleptic medication and 
 30.21  the patient does not refuse administration of the medication; or 
 30.22     (4) the substitute decision-maker does not consent or the 
 30.23  patient is refusing medication, and the patient is in an 
 30.24  emergency situation. 
 30.25     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 30.26  253B.092, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 30.27     Subd. 6.  [PATIENTS WITHOUT CAPACITY TO MAKE INFORMED 
 30.28  DECISION; SUBSTITUTE DECISION-MAKER.] (a) Upon request of any 
 30.29  person, and upon a showing that administration of neuroleptic 
 30.30  medications may be recommended and that the person may lack 
 30.31  capacity to make decisions regarding the administration of 
 30.32  neuroleptic medication, the court shall appoint a substitute 
 30.33  decision-maker with authority to consent to the administration 
 30.34  of neuroleptic medication as provided in this section.  The 
 30.35  substitute decision-maker must be an individual or a community 
 30.36  or institutional multidisciplinary panel designated by the local 
 31.1   mental health authority.  In appointing a substitute 
 31.2   decision-maker, the court shall give preference to a guardian or 
 31.3   conservator, proxy, or attorney-in-fact health care agent with 
 31.4   authority to make health care decisions for the patient.  The 
 31.5   court may provide for the payment of a reasonable fee to the 
 31.6   substitute decision-maker for services under this section or may 
 31.7   appoint a volunteer. 
 31.8      (b) If the person's treating physician recommends treatment 
 31.9   with neuroleptic medication, the substitute decision-maker may 
 31.10  give or withhold consent to the administration of the 
 31.11  medication, based on the standards under subdivision 7.  If the 
 31.12  substitute decision-maker gives informed consent to the 
 31.13  treatment and the person does not refuse, the substitute 
 31.14  decision-maker shall provide written consent to the treating 
 31.15  physician and the medication may be administered.  The 
 31.16  substitute decision-maker shall also notify the court that 
 31.17  consent has been given.  If the substitute decision-maker 
 31.18  refuses or withdraws consent or the person refuses the 
 31.19  medication, neuroleptic medication may not be administered to 
 31.20  the person without a court order or in an emergency. 
 31.21     (c) A substitute decision-maker appointed under this 
 31.22  section has access to the pertinent sections of the patient's 
 31.23  health records on the past or present administration of 
 31.24  medication.  The designated agency or a person involved in the 
 31.25  patient's physical or mental health care may disclose 
 31.26  information to the substitute decision-maker for the sole 
 31.27  purpose of performing the responsibilities under this section. 
 31.28     (d) At a hearing under section 253B.08, the petitioner has 
 31.29  the burden of proving incapacity by a preponderance of the 
 31.30  evidence.  If a substitute decision-maker has been appointed by 
 31.31  the court, the court shall make findings regarding the patient's 
 31.32  capacity to make decisions regarding the administration of 
 31.33  neuroleptic medications and affirm or reverse its appointment of 
 31.34  a substitute decision-maker.  If the court affirms the 
 31.35  appointment of the substitute decision-maker, and if the 
 31.36  substitute decision-maker has consented to the administration of 
 32.1   the medication and the patient has not refused, the court shall 
 32.2   make findings that the substitute decision-maker has consented 
 32.3   and the treatment is authorized.  If a substitute decision-maker 
 32.4   has not yet been appointed, upon request the court shall make 
 32.5   findings regarding the patient's capacity and appoint a 
 32.6   substitute decision-maker if appropriate. 
 32.7      (e) If an order for civil commitment or early intervention 
 32.8   did not provide for the appointment of a substitute 
 32.9   decision-maker or for the administration of neuroleptic 
 32.10  medication, the treatment facility may later request the 
 32.11  appointment of a substitute decision-maker upon a showing that 
 32.12  administration of neuroleptic medications is recommended and 
 32.13  that the person lacks capacity to make decisions regarding the 
 32.14  administration of neuroleptic medications.  A hearing is not 
 32.15  required in order to administer the neuroleptic medication 
 32.16  unless requested under subdivision 10 or if the substitute 
 32.17  decision-maker withholds or refuses consent or the person 
 32.18  refuses the medication. 
 32.19     (f) The substitute decision-maker's authority to consent to 
 32.20  treatment lasts for the duration of the court's order of 
 32.21  appointment or until modified by the court. 
 32.22     If the substitute decision-maker withdraws consent or the 
 32.23  patient refuses consent, neuroleptic medication may not be 
 32.24  administered without a court order. 
 32.25     (g) If there is no hearing after the preliminary hearing, 
 32.26  then the court shall, upon the request of any interested party, 
 32.27  review the reasonableness of the substitute decision-maker's 
 32.28  decision based on the standards under subdivision 7.  The court 
 32.29  shall enter an order upholding or reversing the decision within 
 32.30  seven days. 
 32.31     Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 525.55, 
 32.32  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 32.33     Subdivision 1.  [TIME OF NOTICE; TO WHOM GIVEN.] In all 
 32.34  cases, upon the filing of the petition the court shall fix the 
 32.35  time and place for the hearing and shall order that notice be 
 32.36  given of the hearing.  At least 14 days prior to the hearing, 
 33.1   personal service of the notice shall be made upon the proposed 
 33.2   ward or conservatee.  Notice by mail postmarked at least 14 days 
 33.3   before the hearing shall also be served on: 
 33.4      (1) the spouse, parents, adult children, brothers and 
 33.5   sisters,; 
 33.6      (2) a health care agent or proxy appointed pursuant to a 
 33.7   health care directive as defined in section 145C.01, a living 
 33.8   will under chapter 145B, or other similar document executed in 
 33.9   another state and enforceable under the laws of this state; and, 
 33.10     (3) if none of those in clause (1) or (2) are alive or can 
 33.11  be located, on the nearest kindred as determined by the court, 
 33.12  and on any other persons the court may direct, by mail 
 33.13  postmarked at least 14 days prior to the hearing. 
 33.14     If the person is a patient or, resident, or client of any 
 33.15  hospital, nursing home, home care agency, or other institution, 
 33.16  notice by mail shall also be given to the administrative head of 
 33.17  the institution.  If the person is a nonresident or if after 
 33.18  diligent search cannot be found in this state, notice shall be 
 33.19  given in the manner and to those persons as the court may 
 33.20  determine. 
 33.21     Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 525.55, 
 33.22  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 33.23     Subd. 2.  [FORM; SERVICE.] The notice shall be written in 
 33.24  language which can be easily understood.  Included with the 
 33.25  notice shall be a copy of the petition.  The notice shall 
 33.26  contain information regarding the nature, purpose and legal 
 33.27  effects of the guardianship or conservatorship proceedings on 
 33.28  the proposed ward or conservatee.  The notice shall state that 
 33.29  the person may be adjudged incapable of self care for person or 
 33.30  property, and by reason thereof, a guardian or conservator may 
 33.31  be appointed, and that the adjudication may transfer to the 
 33.32  appointed guardian or conservator certain rights, including the 
 33.33  right to manage and control property, to enter into contracts 
 33.34  and to determine residence.  The notice shall further contain 
 33.35  information regarding the rights of the proposed ward or 
 33.36  conservatee in the proceeding, including the right to attend the 
 34.1   hearing, to be represented by an attorney, to oppose the 
 34.2   proceeding, and to present evidence.  The notice shall state 
 34.3   that if the proposed ward or conservatee wishes to exercise the 
 34.4   right to be represented by an attorney, that person must either 
 34.5   obtain counsel of choice, or ask the court to appoint an 
 34.6   attorney to represent that person, and that the county shall pay 
 34.7   a reasonable attorney's fee if that person is indigent.  The 
 34.8   procedure for requesting a court appointed attorney shall be 
 34.9   described in the notice.  If the proposed ward or conservatee is 
 34.10  a patient, resident, or client of any hospital, nursing home, 
 34.11  home care agency, or other institution, the notice must further 
 34.12  require the institution to advise the court of the existence, if 
 34.13  known, of a health care directive, as defined in section 
 34.14  145C.01, executed by the proposed ward or conservatee, a living 
 34.15  will executed under chapter 145B, or any other similar document 
 34.16  executed in another state and enforceable under the laws of this 
 34.17  state. 
 34.18     The process server shall inquire whether the proposed ward 
 34.19  or conservatee desires the notice and petition to be read to 
 34.20  that person, and shall read the notice and petition if requested 
 34.21  to do so.  In place of a process server, the court may appoint a 
 34.22  visitor to deliver the notice and petition and explain them to 
 34.23  the proposed ward or conservatee.  
 34.24     Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 525.551, 
 34.25  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 34.26     Subdivision 1.  [ATTENDANCE AT HEARING.] If the proposed 
 34.27  ward or conservatee is within the state, that person shall be 
 34.28  present at the hearing unless in a meeting with a visitor that 
 34.29  person specifically waives the right to appear in person or is 
 34.30  not able to attend by reason of medical condition as evidenced 
 34.31  by a written statement from a licensed physician.  The written 
 34.32  statement shall be evidence only of the proposed ward's or 
 34.33  conservatee's medical inability to attend the hearing, and shall 
 34.34  not be considered in determining the issue of incapacity.  The 
 34.35  written statement must also inform the court of the physician's 
 34.36  knowledge, if any, of the existence of a health care directive, 
 35.1   as defined in section 145C.01, executed by the proposed ward or 
 35.2   conservatee, a living will executed under chapter 145B, or any 
 35.3   other similar document executed in another state and enforceable 
 35.4   under the laws of this state.  In any instance in which a 
 35.5   proposed ward or conservatee is absent from the hearing, the 
 35.6   court shall specify in its findings of fact the reason for 
 35.7   nonattendance. 
 35.8      If a visitor delivered the notice and petition pursuant to 
 35.9   section 525.55 and the proposed ward or conservatee has waived 
 35.10  the right to attend the hearing, the visitor may testify as to 
 35.11  the notice and any waiver of the right to appear in person, and 
 35.12  as to other matters which may assist the court in determining 
 35.13  the need for a guardian or conservator and the extent of the 
 35.14  power to be granted.  
 35.15     Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 525.551, 
 35.16  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 35.17     Subd. 5.  [FINDINGS.] In all cases the court shall make 
 35.18  specific written findings of fact, state separately its 
 35.19  conclusions of law, and direct the entry of an appropriate 
 35.20  judgment or order. 
 35.21     If upon completion of the hearing and consideration of the 
 35.22  record the court finds:  (a) that the requirements for the 
 35.23  voluntary appointment of a conservator or guardian have been 
 35.24  met, or (b)(1) that the proposed ward or conservatee is 
 35.25  incapacitated as defined in section 525.54; and (2) in need of 
 35.26  the supervision and protection of a guardian or conservator; and 
 35.27  (3) that no appropriate alternatives to the guardianship or 
 35.28  conservatorship exist which are less restrictive of the person's 
 35.29  civil rights and liberties, such as those set forth in section 
 35.30  525.54, subdivision 7, it shall enter its order or judgment 
 35.31  granting all of the powers set out in section 525.56, 
 35.32  subdivision 3, in the case of a guardian of the person, and 
 35.33  section 525.56, subdivision 4, in the case of a guardian of the 
 35.34  estate, or specifying the powers of the conservator pursuant to 
 35.35  section 525.56.  The court shall make a finding that appointment 
 35.36  of the person chosen as guardian or conservator is in the best 
 36.1   interests of the ward or conservatee.  Except as provided in 
 36.2   section 525.544, subdivision 1, if more than one person has 
 36.3   petitioned the court to serve as guardian or conservator, or if 
 36.4   the petition is contested, the court shall make a finding that 
 36.5   the person to be appointed as guardian or conservator is the 
 36.6   most suitable and best qualified person among those who are 
 36.7   available before making the appointment.  The court's finding as 
 36.8   to the best available guardian must specifically address the 
 36.9   reasons for the court's determination that the appointment of 
 36.10  that person is in the best interests of the ward or 
 36.11  conservatee.  The court must also clarify the respective legal 
 36.12  authorities of a guardian or conservator appointed under this 
 36.13  chapter and any existing health care agent or proxy appointed 
 36.14  under a health care directive as defined in section 145C.01, a 
 36.15  living will under chapter 145B, or other similar document 
 36.16  executed in another state and enforceable under the laws of this 
 36.17  state. 
 36.18     The court may enumerate in its findings which legal rights 
 36.19  the proposed ward or conservatee is incapable of exercising. 
 36.20     Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 525.9212, is 
 36.21  amended to read: 
 36.22     525.9212 [MAKING, REVOKING, AND OBJECTING TO ANATOMICAL 
 36.23  GIFTS, BY OTHERS.] 
 36.24     (a) Any member of the following classes of persons, in the 
 36.25  order of priority listed, may make an anatomical gift of all or 
 36.26  a part of the decedent's body for an authorized purpose, unless 
 36.27  the decedent has made a refusal to make that anatomical gift 
 36.28  that is unrevoked at the time of death: 
 36.29     (1) the spouse of the decedent; 
 36.30     (2) an adult son or daughter of the decedent; 
 36.31     (3) either parent of the decedent; 
 36.32     (4) an adult brother or sister of the decedent; 
 36.33     (5) a grandparent of the decedent; and 
 36.34     (6) a guardian or conservator of the person of the decedent 
 36.35  at the time of death or a health care agent or proxy appointed 
 36.36  by the decedent under a health care directive as defined in 
 37.1   section 145C.01, a living will under chapter 145B, or other 
 37.2   similar document executed in another state and enforceable under 
 37.3   the laws of this state. 
 37.4      (b) An anatomical gift may not be made by a person listed 
 37.5   in paragraph (a) if: 
 37.6      (1) a person in a prior class is available at the time of 
 37.7   death to make an anatomical gift; 
 37.8      (2) the person proposing to make an anatomical gift knows 
 37.9   of a refusal or contrary indications by the decedent; or 
 37.10     (3) the person proposing to make an anatomical gift knows 
 37.11  of an objection to making an anatomical gift by a member of the 
 37.12  person's class or a prior class. 
 37.13     (c) An anatomical gift by a person authorized under 
 37.14  paragraph (a) must be made by (i) a document of gift signed by 
 37.15  the person, or (ii) the person's telegraphic, recorded 
 37.16  telephonic, or other recorded message, or other form of 
 37.17  communication from the person that is contemporaneously reduced 
 37.18  to writing and signed by the recipient. 
 37.19     (d) An anatomical gift by a person authorized under 
 37.20  paragraph (a) may be revoked by any member of the same or a 
 37.21  prior class if, before procedures have begun for the removal of 
 37.22  a part from the body of the decedent, the physician, surgeon, 
 37.23  technician, or enucleator removing the part knows of the 
 37.24  revocation. 
 37.25     (e) A failure to make a decision as to an anatomical gift 
 37.26  under paragraph (a) is not an objection to the making of an 
 37.27  anatomical gift. 
 37.28     Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 609.215, 
 37.29  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 37.30     Subd. 3.  [ACTS OR OMISSIONS NOT CONSIDERED AIDING SUICIDE 
 37.31  OR AIDING ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.] (a) A health care provider, as 
 37.32  defined in section 145B.02, subdivision 6, who administers, 
 37.33  prescribes, or dispenses medications or procedures to relieve 
 37.34  another person's pain or discomfort, even if the medication or 
 37.35  procedure may hasten or increase the risk of death, does not 
 37.36  violate this section unless the medications or procedures are 
 38.1   knowingly administered, prescribed, or dispensed to cause death. 
 38.2      (b) A health care provider, as defined in section 145B.02, 
 38.3   subdivision 6, who withholds or withdraws a life-sustaining 
 38.4   procedure in compliance with chapter 145B or 145C or in 
 38.5   accordance with reasonable medical practice does not violate 
 38.6   this section. 
 38.7      Sec. 38.  [EFFECT OF AMENDMENTS.] 
 38.8      A document executed prior to August 1, 1998, that purports 
 38.9   to be a living will under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145B, a 
 38.10  durable power of attorney for health care under Minnesota 
 38.11  Statutes, chapter 145C, or a declaration regarding intrusive 
 38.12  mental health treatment under Minnesota Statutes, section 
 38.13  253B.03, subdivision 6a, is valid if the document: 
 38.14     (1) complied with the law in effect on the date it was 
 38.15  executed; or 
 38.16     (2) complies with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, 
 38.17  section 145C.03. 
 38.18     If the document complied with the law in effect on the date 
 38.19  it was executed but does not also comply with the requirements 
 38.20  of Minnesota Statutes, section 145C.03, it shall be given effect 
 38.21  in accordance with the laws in effect on the date it was 
 38.22  executed, unless the document provides otherwise. 
 38.23     Nothing in sections 1 to 38 impairs the evidentiary effect 
 38.24  under common law or reasonable medical practice with respect to 
 38.25  other written or oral expressions of an individual's desires 
 38.26  regarding health care. 
 38.27     Sec. 39.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 38.28     Sections 1 to 38 are effective August 1, 1998.