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The Florida Senate

1998 Florida Statutes

Title XLIV CIVIL RIGHTS
Chapter 765
HEALTH CARE ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

CHAPTER 765
HEALTH CARE ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS (ss. 765.101-765.113)

PART II
HEALTH CARE SURROGATE (ss. 765.201-765.205)

PART III
LIFE-PROLONGING PROCEDURES (ss. 765.301-765.310)

PART IV
ABSENCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVE (s. 765.401)

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

765.101  Definitions.

765.102  Legislative findings and intent.

765.103  Existing advance directives.

765.104  Revocation.

765.105  Review of surrogate or proxy's decision.

765.106  Preservation of existing rights.

765.107  Construction.

765.108  Effect with respect to insurance.

765.109  Immunity from liability; weight of proof; presumption.

765.110  Health care facilities and providers; discipline.

765.112  Recognition of advance directive executed in another state.

765.113  Restrictions on providing consent.

765.101  Definitions.--As used in this chapter:

(1)  "Advance directive" means a witnessed written document or oral statement in which instructions are given by a principal or in which the principal's desires are expressed concerning any aspect of the principal's health care, and includes, but is not limited to, the designation of a health care surrogate, a living will, or orders not to resuscitate issued pursuant to s. 401.45.

(2)  "Attending physician" means the primary physician who has responsibility for the treatment and care of the patient.

(3)  "Close personal friend" means any person 18 years of age or older who has exhibited special care and concern for the patient, and who presents an affidavit to the health care facility or to the attending or treating physician stating that he or she is a friend of the patient; is willing and able to become involved in the patient's health care; and has maintained such regular contact with the patient so as to be familiar with the patient's activities, health, and religious or moral beliefs.

(4)  "Health care decision" means:

(a)  Informed consent, refusal of consent, or withdrawal of consent to any and all health care, including life-prolonging procedures.

(b)  The decision to apply for private, public, government, or veterans' benefits to defray the cost of health care.

(c)  The right of access to all records of the principal reasonably necessary for a health care surrogate to make decisions involving health care and to apply for benefits.

(5)  "Health care facility" means a hospital, nursing home, hospice, home health agency, or health maintenance organization licensed in this state, or any facility subject to part I of chapter 394.

(6)  "Health care provider" or "provider" means any person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.

(7)  "Incapacity" or "incompetent" means the patient is physically or mentally unable to communicate a willful and knowing health care decision.

(8)  "Informed consent" means consent voluntarily given by a person after a sufficient explanation and disclosure of the subject matter involved to enable that person to have a general understanding of the procedure and the medically acceptable alternative procedures and to make a knowing health care decision without coercion or undue influence.

(9)  "Life-prolonging procedure" means any medical procedure, treatment, or intervention which:

(a)  Utilizes mechanical or other artificial means to sustain, restore, or supplant a spontaneous vital function; and

(b)  When applied to a patient in a terminal condition, serves only to prolong the process of dying.

The term "life-prolonging procedure" does not include the administration of medication or performance of medical procedure, when such medication or procedure is deemed necessary to provide comfort care or to alleviate pain.

(10)  "Living will" or "declaration" means:

(a)  A witnessed document in writing, voluntarily executed by the principal in accordance with s. 765.302; or

(b)  A witnessed oral statement made by the principal expressing the principal's instructions concerning life-prolonging procedures.

(11)  "Physician" means a person licensed pursuant to chapter 458 or chapter 459.

(12)  "Principal" means a competent adult executing an advance directive and on whose behalf health care decisions are to be made.

(13)  "Proxy" means a competent adult who has not been expressly designated to make health care decisions for a particular incapacitated individual, but who, nevertheless, is authorized pursuant to s. 765.401 to make health care decisions for such individual.

(14)  "Surrogate" means any competent adult expressly designated by a principal to make health care decisions on behalf of the principal upon the principal's incapacity.

(15)  "Terminal condition" means:

(a)  A condition caused by injury, disease, or illness from which there is no reasonable probability of recovery and which, without treatment, can be expected to cause death; or

(b)  A persistent vegetative state characterized by a permanent and irreversible condition of unconsciousness in which there is:

1.  The absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior of any kind; and

2.  An inability to communicate or interact purposefully with the environment.

(16)  "Treating physician" means the physician who has treated or is treating the patient for any condition directly related to the condition resulting in the patient's incapacity.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199; s. 3, ch. 94-183; s. 46, ch. 96-169.

765.102  Legislative findings and intent.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that every competent adult has the fundamental right of self-determination regarding decisions pertaining to his or her own health, including the right to choose or refuse medical treatment. This right is subject to certain interests of society, such as the protection of human life and the preservation of ethical standards in the medical profession.

(2)  To ensure that such right is not lost or diminished by virtue of later physical or mental incapacity, the Legislature intends that a procedure be established to allow a person to plan for incapacity by designating another person to direct the course of his or her medical treatment upon his or her incapacity. Such procedure should be less expensive and less restrictive than guardianship and permit a previously incapacitated person to exercise his or her full right to make health care decisions as soon as the capacity to make such decisions has been regained.

(3)  The Legislature further finds that the artificial prolongation of life for a person with a terminal condition may secure for him or her only a precarious and burdensome existence, while providing nothing medically necessary or beneficial to the patient. In order that the rights and intentions of a person with such a condition may be respected even after he or she is no longer able to participate actively in decisions concerning himself or herself, and to encourage communication among such patient, his or her family, and his or her physician, the Legislature declares that the laws of this state recognize the right of a competent adult to make an advance directive instructing his or her physician to provide, withhold, or withdraw life-prolonging procedures, or to designate another to make the treatment decision for him or her in the event that such person should be found to be incompetent and suffering from a terminal condition.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199; s. 1144, ch. 97-102.

765.103  Existing advance directives.--Any advance directive made prior to April 10, 1992, shall be given effect as provided in this chapter provided such directive was legally effective when written.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199.

765.104  Revocation.--

(1)  An advance directive or designation of a surrogate may be revoked at any time by a competent principal:

(a)  By means of a signed, dated writing;

(b)  By means of the physical cancellation or destruction of the advance directive by the principal or by another in the principal's presence and at the principal's direction;

(c)  By means of an oral expression of intent to revoke; or

(d)  By means of a subsequently executed advance directive that is materially different from a previously executed advance directive.

(2)  Unless otherwise provided in the advance directive or in an order of dissolution or annulment of marriage, the dissolution or annulment of marriage of the principal revokes the designation of the principal's former spouse as a surrogate.

(3)  Any such revocation will be effective when it is communicated to the surrogate, health care provider, or health care facility. No civil or criminal liability shall be imposed upon any person for a failure to act upon a revocation unless that person has actual knowledge of such revocation.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199; s. 47, ch. 96-169.

765.105  Review of surrogate or proxy's decision.--The patient's family, the health care facility, or the attending physician, or any other interested person who may reasonably be expected to be directly affected by the surrogate or proxy's decision concerning any health care decision may seek expedited judicial intervention pursuant to rule 5.900 of the Florida Probate Rules, if that person believes:

(1)  The surrogate or proxy's decision is not in accord with the patient's known desires or the provisions of this chapter;

(2)  The advance directive is ambiguous, or the patient has changed his or her mind after execution of the advance directive;

(3)  The surrogate or proxy was improperly designated or appointed, or the designation of the surrogate is no longer effective or has been revoked;

(4)  The surrogate or proxy has failed to discharge duties, or incapacity or illness renders the surrogate or proxy incapable of discharging duties;

(5)  The surrogate or proxy has abused powers; or

(6)  The patient has sufficient capacity to make his or her own health care decisions.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199; s. 4, ch. 94-183.

765.106  Preservation of existing rights.--The provisions of this chapter are cumulative to the existing law regarding an individual's right to consent, or refuse to consent, to medical treatment and do not impair any existing rights or responsibilities which a health care provider, a patient, including a minor, competent or incompetent person, or a patient's family may have under the common law, Federal Constitution, State Constitution, or statutes of this state.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199; s. 5, ch. 94-183.

765.107  Construction.--This chapter shall not be construed to repeal by implication any provision of s. 766.103, the Florida Medical Consent Law. For all purposes, the Florida Medical Consent Law shall be considered an alternative to provisions of this section.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199.

765.108  Effect with respect to insurance.--The making of an advance directive pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall not affect the sale, procurement, or issuance of any policy of life insurance, nor shall such making of an advance directive be deemed to modify the terms of an existing policy of life insurance. No policy of life insurance will be legally impaired or invalidated by the withholding or withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures from an insured patient in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, nor by any other treatment decision made according to this chapter, notwithstanding any term of the policy to the contrary. A person shall not be required to make an advance directive as a condition for being insured for, or receiving, health care services.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199.

765.109  Immunity from liability; weight of proof; presumption.--

(1)  A health care facility, provider, or other person who acts under the direction of a health care facility or provider is not subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability, and will not be deemed to have engaged in unprofessional conduct, as a result of carrying out a health care decision made in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The surrogate or proxy who makes a health care decision on a patient's behalf, pursuant to this chapter, is not subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability for such action.

(2)  The provisions of this section shall apply unless it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the person authorizing or effectuating a health care decision did not, in good faith, comply with the provisions of this chapter.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199.

765.110  Health care facilities and providers; discipline.--

(1)  A health care facility, pursuant to Pub. L. No. 101-508, ss. 4206 and 4751, shall provide to each patient written information concerning the individual's rights concerning advance directives and the health care facility's policies respecting the implementation of such rights, and shall document in the patient's medical records whether or not the individual has executed an advance directive.

(2)  A health care provider or health care facility shall be subject to professional discipline and revocation of license or certification, and a fine of not more than $500 per incident, or both, if the health care provider or health care facility, as a condition of treatment or admission, requires an individual to execute or waive an advance directive.

(3)  The 1Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services and the Agency for Health Care Administration shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of the section.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199; s. 6, ch. 94-183; s. 243, ch. 94-218; s. 48, ch. 96-169.

1Note.--The Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services was redesignated as the Department of Children and Family Services by s. 5, ch. 96-403, and the Department of Health was created by s. 8, ch. 96-403.

765.112  Recognition of advance directive executed in another state.--An advance directive executed in another state in compliance with the law of that state or of this state is validly executed for the purposes of this chapter.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199.

765.113  Restrictions on providing consent.--Unless the principal expressly delegates such authority to the surrogate in writing, or a surrogate or proxy has sought and received court approval pursuant to rule 5.900 of the Florida Probate Rules, a surrogate or proxy may not provide consent for:

(1)  Abortion, sterilization, electroshock therapy, psychosurgery, experimental treatments that have not been approved by a federally approved institutional review board in accordance with 45 C.F.R. part 46 or 21 C.F.R. part 56, or voluntary admission to a mental health facility.

(2)  Withholding or withdrawing life-prolonging procedures from a pregnant patient prior to viability as defined in 1s. 390.001(5).

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-199; s. 7, ch. 94-183.

1Note.--Transferred to s. 390.0111 by s. 2, ch. 97-151.

PART II
HEALTH CARE SURROGATE

765.201  Short title.

765.202  Designation of a health care surrogate.

765.203  Suggested form of designation.

765.204  Capacity of principal; procedure.

765.205  Responsibility of the surrogate.

765.201  Short title.--Sections 765.202-765.205 may be cited as the "Florida Health Care Surrogate Act."

History.--s. 3, ch. 92-199.

765.202  Designation of a health care surrogate.--

(1)  A written document designating a surrogate to make health care decisions for a principal shall be signed by the principal in the presence of two subscribing adult witnesses. A principal unable to sign the instrument may, in the presence of witnesses, direct that another person sign the principal's name as required herein. An exact copy of the instrument shall be provided to the surrogate.

(2)  The person designated as surrogate shall not act as witness to the execution of the document designating the health care surrogate. At least one person who acts as a witness shall be neither the principal's spouse nor blood relative.

(3)  A document designating a health care surrogate may also designate an alternate surrogate provided the designation is explicit. The alternate surrogate may assume his or her duties as surrogate for the principal if the original surrogate is unwilling or unable to perform his or her duties. The principal's failure to designate an alternate surrogate shall not invalidate the designation.

(4)  If neither the designated surrogate nor the designated alternate surrogate is able or willing to make health care decisions on behalf of the principal and in accordance with the principal's instructions, the health care facility may seek the appointment of a proxy pursuant to part IV.

(5)  A principal may designate a separate surrogate to consent to mental health treatment in the event that the principal is determined by a court to be incompetent to consent to mental health treatment and a guardian advocate is appointed as provided under s. 394.4598. However, unless the document designating the health care surrogate expressly states otherwise, the court shall assume that the health care surrogate authorized to make health care decisions under this chapter is also the principal's choice to make decisions regarding mental health treatment.

(6)  Unless the document states a time of termination, the designation shall remain in effect until revoked by the principal.

(7)  A written designation of a health care surrogate executed pursuant to this section establishes a rebuttable presumption of clear and convincing evidence of the principal's designation of the surrogate.

History.--s. 3, ch. 92-199; s. 8, ch. 94-183; s. 49, ch. 96-169; s. 1797, ch. 97-102.

765.203  Suggested form of designation.--A written designation of a health care surrogate executed pursuant to this chapter may, but need not be, in the following form:

DESIGNATION OF HEALTH CARE SURROGATE


Name:_____(Last)_____(First)_____(Middle Initial)_____

In the event that I have been determined to be incapacitated to provide informed consent for medical treatment and surgical and diagnostic procedures, I wish to designate as my surrogate for health care decisions:

Name:


Address:

{c1}
{c2}Zip Code:__________
Phone:____________________

If my surrogate is unwilling or unable to perform his or her duties, I wish to designate as my alternate surrogate:
Name:


Address:

{c1}
{c2}Zip Code:__________
Phone:____________________

I fully understand that this designation will permit my designee to make health care decisions and to provide, withhold, or withdraw consent on my behalf; to apply for public benefits to defray the cost of health care; and to authorize my admission to or transfer from a health care facility.
Additional instructions (optional):




I further affirm that this designation is not being made as a condition of treatment or admission to a health care facility. I will notify and send a copy of this document to the following persons other than my surrogate, so they may know who my surrogate is.
Name:


Name:



Signed:

Date:

{c1}Witnesses: {c2}1.

{c1}{c2}2.

History.--s. 3, ch. 92-199; s. 1145, ch. 97-102.

765.204  Capacity of principal; procedure.--

(1)  A principal is presumed to be capable of making health care decisions for herself or himself unless she or he is determined to be incapacitated. Incapacity may not be inferred from the person's voluntary or involuntary hospitalization for mental illness or from her or his mental retardation.

(2)  If a principal's capacity to make health care decisions for herself or himself or provide informed consent is in question, the attending physician shall evaluate the principal's capacity. If the attending physician concludes that the principal lacks such capacity, another physician shall evaluate the principal's capacity. If the second physician agrees that the principal lacks the capacity to make health care decisions or provide informed consent, the health care facility shall enter both physicians' evaluations in the principal's clinical record and, if the principal has designated a health care surrogate, shall notify such surrogate in writing that her or his authority under the instrument has commenced.

(3)  The surrogate's authority shall commence upon a determination under subsection (2) that the principal lacks capacity, and such authority shall remain in effect until a determination that the principal has regained such capacity. Upon commencement of the surrogate's authority, a surrogate who is not the principal's spouse shall notify the principal's spouse or adult children of the principal's designation of the surrogate. In the event the attending physician determines that the principal has regained capacity, the authority of the surrogate shall cease, but shall recommence if the principal subsequently loses capacity as determined pursuant to this section.

(4)  A determination made pursuant to this section that a principal lacks capacity to make health care decisions shall not be construed as a finding that a principal lacks capacity for any other purpose.

(5)  In the event the surrogate is required to consent to withholding or withdrawing life-prolonging procedures, the provisions of part III shall apply.

History.--s. 3, ch. 92-199; s. 1146, ch. 97-102.

765.205  Responsibility of the surrogate.--

(1)  The surrogate shall:

(a)  Have authority to act for the principal and to make all health care decisions for the principal during the principal's incapacity, in accordance with the principal's instructions, unless such authority has been expressly limited by the principal.

(b)  Consult expeditiously with appropriate health care providers to provide informed consent, and make only health care decisions for the principal which he or she believes the principal would have made under the circumstances if the principal were capable of making such decisions.

(c)  Provide written consent using an appropriate form whenever consent is required.

(d)  Be provided access to the appropriate clinical records of the principal.

(e)  Apply for public benefits, such as Medicare and Medicaid, for the principal and have access to information regarding the principal's income and assets and banking and financial records to the extent required to make application. A health care provider or facility may not, however, make such application a condition of continued care if the principal, if capable, would have refused to apply.

(2)  The surrogate may authorize the release of information and clinical records to appropriate persons to ensure the continuity of the principal's health care and may authorize the transfer and admission of the principal to or from a health care facility.

(3)  If, after the appointment of a surrogate, a court appoints a guardian, the surrogate shall continue to make health care decisions for the principal, unless the court has modified or revoked the authority of the surrogate pursuant to s. 744.3115. The surrogate may be directed by the court to report the principal's health care status to the guardian.

History.--s. 3, ch. 92-199; s. 9, ch. 94-183; s. 50, ch. 96-169.

PART III
LIFE-PROLONGING PROCEDURES

765.301  Short title.

765.302  Procedure for making a living will; notice to physician.

765.303  Suggested form of a living will.

765.304  Procedure for living will.

765.305  Procedure in absence of a living will.

765.306  Determination of patient condition.

765.308  Transfer of a patient.

765.309  Mercy killing or euthanasia not authorized; suicide distinguished.

765.310  Falsification, forgery, or willful concealment, cancellation, or destruction of declaration or revocation; penalties.

765.301  Short title.--Sections 765.302-765.310 may be cited as the "Life-Prolonging Procedure Act of Florida."

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-199.

765.302  Procedure for making a living will; notice to physician.--

(1)  Any competent adult may, at any time, make a living will or written declaration directing the providing, withholding, or withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures in the event such person suffers from a terminal condition. A living will must be signed by the principal in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, one of whom is neither a spouse nor a blood relative of the principal. If the principal is physically unable to sign the living will, one of the witnesses must subscribe the principal's signature in the principal's presence and at the principal's direction.

(2)  It is the responsibility of the principal to provide for notification to her or his attending or treating physician that the living will has been made. In the event the principal is physically or mentally incapacitated at the time the principal is admitted to a health care facility, any other person may notify the physician or health care facility of the existence of the living will. An attending or treating physician or health care facility which is so notified shall promptly make the living will or a copy thereof a part of the principal's medical records.

(3)  A living will, executed pursuant to this section, establishes a rebuttable presumption of clear and convincing evidence of the principal's wishes.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-199; s. 1147, ch. 97-102.

765.303  Suggested form of a living will.--

(1)  A living will may, but need not, be in the following form:

Living Will

Declaration made this _____ day of _____, 19 _____ I, __________, willfully and voluntarily make known my desire that my dying not be artificially prolonged under the circumstances set forth below, and I do hereby declare:

If at any time I have a terminal condition and if my attending or treating physician and another consulting physician have determined that there is no medical probability of my recovery from such condition, I direct that life-prolonging procedures be withheld or withdrawn when the application of such procedures would serve only to prolong artificially the process of dying, and that I be permitted to die naturally with only the administration of medication or the performance of any medical procedure deemed necessary to provide me with comfort care or to alleviate pain.

It is my intention that this declaration be honored by my family and physician as the final expression of my legal right to refuse medical or surgical treatment and to accept the consequences for such refusal.

In the event that I have been determined to be unable to provide express and informed consent regarding the withholding, withdrawal, or continuation of life-prolonging procedures, I wish to designate, as my surrogate to carry out the provisions of this declaration:

Name:


Address:

{c1}
{c2}Zip Code:__________
Phone:____________________

I understand the full import of this declaration, and I am emotionally and mentally competent to make this declaration.
Additional Instructions (optional):




_____(Signed)_____

_____Witness_____

_____Address_____

_____Phone_____

_____Witness_____

_____Address_____

_____Phone_____

(2)  The principal's failure to designate a surrogate shall not invalidate the living will.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-199.

765.304  Procedure for living will.--

(1)  If a person has made a living will expressing his or her desires concerning life-prolonging procedures, but has not designated a surrogate to execute his or her wishes concerning life-prolonging procedures or designated a surrogate under part II, the attending physician may proceed as directed by the principal in the living will. In the event of a dispute or disagreement concerning the attending physician's decision to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures, the attending physician shall not withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures pending review under s. 765.105. If a review of a disputed decision is not sought within 7 days following the attending physician's decision to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures, the attending physician may proceed in accordance with the principal's instructions.

(2)  Before proceeding in accordance with the principal's living will, it must be determined that:

(a)  The principal does not have a reasonable probability of recovering competency so that the right could be exercised directly by the principal.

(b)  The principal's physical condition is terminal.

(c)  Any limitations or conditions expressed orally or in a written declaration have been carefully considered and satisfied.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-199; s. 10, ch. 94-183.

765.305  Procedure in absence of a living will.--

(1)  In the absence of a living will executed pursuant to s. 765.303, the decision to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures from a patient may be made by a health care surrogate designated by the patient pursuant to part II unless the designation limits the surrogate's authority to consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures.

(2)  Before exercising the incompetent patient's right to forego treatment, the surrogate must be satisfied that:

(a)  The patient does not have a reasonable probability of recovering competency so that the right could be exercised by the patient.

(b)  The patient's physical condition is terminal.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-199.

765.306  Determination of patient condition.--In determining whether the patient has a terminal condition or may recover capacity, or whether a medical condition or limitation referred to in an advance directive exists, the patient's attending or treating physician and at least one other consulting physician must separately examine the patient. The findings of each such examination must be documented in the patient's medical record and signed by each examining physician before life-prolonging procedures may be withheld or withdrawn.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-199; s. 13, ch. 94-183.

765.308  Transfer of a patient.--

(1)  A health care provider or facility that refuses to comply with the declaration of a patient, or the treatment decision of his or her surrogate, shall make reasonable efforts to transfer the patient to another health care provider or facility that will comply with the declaration or treatment decision. This chapter does not require a health care provider or facility to commit any act which is contrary to the provider's or facility's moral or ethical beliefs concerning life-prolonging procedures, if the patient:

(a)  Is not in an emergency condition, and

(b)  Has received written information upon admission informing the patient of the policies of the health care provider or facility regarding such moral or ethical beliefs.

(2)  A health care provider or facility that is unwilling to carry out the wishes of the patient because of moral or ethical beliefs must within 7 days either:

(a)  Transfer the patient to another health care provider or facility. The health care provider or facility shall pay the costs for transporting the patient to another health care provider or facility; or

(b)  If the patient has not been transferred, carry out the wishes of the patient or the patient's surrogate, unless the provisions of s. 765.105 apply.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-199; s. 11, ch. 94-183; s. 1148, ch. 97-102.

765.309  Mercy killing or euthanasia not authorized; suicide distinguished.--

(1)  Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to condone, authorize, or approve mercy killing or euthanasia, or to permit any affirmative or deliberate act or omission to end life other than to permit the natural process of dying.

(2)  The withholding or withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures from a patient in accordance with any provision of this chapter does not, for any purpose, constitute a suicide.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-199.

765.310  Falsification, forgery, or willful concealment, cancellation, or destruction of declaration or revocation; penalties.--

(1)  Any person who willfully conceals, cancels, defaces, obliterates, or damages a living will without the principal's consent or who falsifies or forges a revocation of a living will of another, and who thereby causes life-prolonging procedures to be utilized in contravention of the previously expressed intent of the principal, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(2)  Any person who falsifies or forges the living will of another or who willfully conceals or withholds personal knowledge of the revocation of a declaration, with the intent to cause a withholding or withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures contrary to the wishes of the principal, and who thereby because of such act directly causes life-prolonging procedures to be withheld or withdrawn and death to be hastened, commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-199.

PART IV
ABSENCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVE

765.401  The proxy.

765.401  The proxy.--

(1)  If the patient has not executed an advance directive, or designated a surrogate to execute an advance directive, or the designated or alternate surrogate is no longer available to make health care decisions, health care decisions may be made for the patient by any of the following individuals, in the following order of priority, if no individual in a prior class is reasonably available, willing, or competent to act:

(a)  The judicially appointed guardian of the patient, who has been authorized to consent to medical treatment, if such guardian has previously been appointed; however, this paragraph shall not be construed to require such appointment before a treatment decision can be made under this subsection;

(b)  The patient's spouse;

(c)  An adult child of the patient, or if the patient has more than one adult child, a majority of the adult children who are reasonably available for consultation;

(d)  A parent of the patient;

(e)  The adult sibling of the patient or, if the patient has more than one sibling, a majority of the adult siblings who are reasonably available for consultation.

(f)  An adult relative of the patient who has exhibited special care and concern for the patient and who has maintained regular contact with the patient and who is familiar with the patient's activities, health, and religious or moral beliefs; or

(g)  A close friend of the patient.

(2)  Any health care decision made under this part must be based on the proxy's informed consent and on the decision the proxy reasonably believes the patient would have made under the circumstances.

(3)  Before exercising the incapacitated patient's rights to select or decline health care, the proxy must comply with the pertinent provisions applicable to surrogates under this chapter, except that a proxy's decision to withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures must be supported by clear and convincing evidence that the decision would have been the one the patient would have chosen had the patient been competent.

(4)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt the designation of persons who may consent to the medical care or treatment of minors established pursuant to s. 743.0645.

History.--s. 5, ch. 92-199; s. 12, ch. 94-183.