SB138 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: J.T. WaggonerSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Health care providers, Natural Death Act, physicians do not attempt resuscitation orders specifically provided for in medical records, procedures, rules by Board of Health and Board of Medical Examiners, Sec. 22-8A-4.1 added; Secs. 22-8A-2, 22-8A-3, 22-8A-7, 22-8A-8 am'd.
Summary: The bill expands the Natural Death Act to recognize portable Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) orders that are valid across Alabama, even if a patient is incapacitated.
What This Bill Does
It creates a portable DNAR order and updates the Natural Death Act to allow health care providers to follow a physician's DNAR order entered in the medical record anywhere in the state. It defines key terms, requires a standard portable DNAR form, and lets state health and medical examiners set rules for implementing the act. It also provides protections for providers acting in good faith, and establishes penalties for falsifying DNAR orders or related directives. The act becomes effective three months after passage.

Who It Affects
Competent adult patients who may have advance directives, living wills, health care proxies, or surrogates guiding life-sustaining treatment.
Health care providers and health care facilities, who may follow portable DNAR orders across the state and must comply or arrange transfers.
Surrogates, health care proxies, and durable power of attorney holders who make or authorize decisions on behalf of incapacitated patients.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 22-8A-4.1 and amends Sections 22-8A-2, 22-8A-3, 22-8A-7, and 22-8A-8 to recognize portable DNAR orders statewide.
Defines portable DNAR order and related terms (adult, life-sustaining treatment, living will, health care proxy, surrogate, etc.).
Requires the State Board of Health to adopt a standard portable DNAR form; the Board of Health and the Board of Medical Examiners may issue implementing rules, with the Medical Examiners having exclusive authority over physician rules.
Provides protections for health care providers acting in good faith to honor DNAR orders and advance directives, and imposes penalties for falsifying or concealing such directives; requires transfer if a provider cannot comply.
Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Health