Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB631

Introduced
4/28/23  

Caption

In general provisions relating to health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for emergency medical services, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment; and making editorial changes.

Impact

The bill affects current laws related to healthcare directives and the protocols for emergency medical personnel when dealing with patients who have completed a POLST. It aims to mitigate confusion that arises when patients move between different healthcare settings. The incorporation of POLST is meant to enhance patient autonomy by providing a portable, actionable medical order that health providers are obligated to recognize and follow. Additionally, training and education campaign requirements in the bill ensure that healthcare providers are adequately informed about the POLST process and its significance in delivering appropriate patient-centered care.

Summary

Senate Bill 631 introduces significant amendments to Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, primarily focusing on provisions related to Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). The bill aims to provide better clarity on the applicability, definitions, and procedures surrounding POLST, which is intended to streamline end-of-life care decisions for patients. The legislation seeks to ensure that patients can express their wishes regarding medical interventions and are not subjected to unwanted life-prolonging treatments under specific conditions. This change consolidates various existing protocols into a more cohesive framework intended to honor patient preferences in healthcare settings.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding SB631 appears to be supportive among many healthcare advocates who see it as a necessary evolution of healthcare protocols that respects patient choice. However, some potential points of contention may arise regarding the adequacy of safeguards to protect patients' interests, particularly around the voluntary nature of POLST and how it interacts with existing advance healthcare directives. Medical and legal experts within the discussions emphasize the need for proper training and understanding of these directives to prevent misuse or confusion.

Contention

Notable areas of contention include the concerns about the implementation of the POLST system alongside existing advance healthcare directives and the potential administrative burden it may impose on healthcare providers. Additionally, while many stakeholders advocate for the clarity that POLST brings, there are worries about how equitable access to information and the ability to complete these orders are maintained across diverse populations. This includes ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the necessary support to understand and make informed choices regarding their end-of-life care.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1254

In health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment; and making an editorial change.

PA SB730

In health care, further providing for applicability, for definitions, for criminal penalties, for emergency medical services, for definitions, for orders, bracelets and necklaces, for revocation, for absence of order, bracelet or necklace and for emergency medical services, repealing provisions relating to advisory committee and providing for discontinuance and for Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment.

PA HB2134

In general provisions relating to emergency management services, further providing for definitions; in Commonwealth services, further providing for State Fire Commissioner; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for scope of chapter, for definitions, for publication and notice, for award of grants, for consolidation incentive, for establishment, for publication and notice, for award of grants and for consolidation incentive, repealing provisions relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, further providing for Fire Company Grant Program and for Emergency Medical Services Company Grant Program, repealing provisions relating to additional funding and to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, providing for hazardous materials and specialty funding, further providing for allocation of appropriated funds, repealing provisions relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program, providing for Hazardous Materials Team and Specialty Team Grant Program, further providing for expiration of authority, repealing provisions relating to expiration of authority relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to expiration of authority relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program and further providing for special provisions and for annual reports; and making transfers.

PA SB623

In general provisions, further providing for definitions; in Commonwealth services, further providing for definitions; and, in emergency responder mental wellness and stress management, further providing for definitions.

PA HB453

In general provisions, further providing for definitions; in Commonwealth services, further providing fordefinitions relating to intrastate mutual aid; and, in emergency responder mental wellness and stress management, further providing for definitions.

PA HB2378

Further providing for definitions; and making editorial changes.

PA SB196

Further providing for definitions; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1777

In local organizations and services, further providing for general authority of political subdivisions; and, in general provisions relating to government and administration, further providing for scope of subchapter, providing for definitions, further providing for establishment and designation, providing for emergency meetings by authorized telecommunications device, repealing provisions relating to exercise of powers and functions, further providing for declaration of policy and for definitions, repealing provisions relating to enabling authority for emergency interim successors for local offices, further providing for emergency interim successors for local officers and for succession period and repealing provisions relating to term and removal of designees.

PA SB1261

In Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies; and, in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for definitions, for publication and notice, for award of grants, for consolidation incentive, for publication and notice and for award of grants, repealing provisions relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program, to expiration of authority relating to COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and to expiration of authority relating to Emergency Medical Services COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program and further providing for annual reports.

PA SB31

In fantasy contests, further providing for definitions and for general and specific powers of board; in general provisions relating to gaming, further providing for definitions; in fingerprinting, further providing for submission of fingerprints and photographs; in general provisions relating to video gaming, further providing for definitions; and, in administration, further providing for powers of board.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.