HB373 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: April WeaverSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Palliative and end of life individual health plans, authorized to provide health care and other directives to health care providers, schools, etc. for terminally ill minors, Alex Hoover Act, Secs. 22-8A-15 to 22-8A-18, inclusive, added; Secs. 22-8A-2, 22-8A-3, 22-8A-7 am'd.
Summary: HB373 creates the Alex Hoover Act to allow portable palliative and end-of-life health plans for terminally ill minors, guiding medical care and school participation with legal protections for those who follow them.
What This Bill Does
It would let parents or guardians (and other qualified representatives) create a palliative and end of life health plan for a terminally ill minor in consultation with the minor’s doctor, to guide care in medical settings and in school. The plan can include physician orders for pediatric palliative and end of life care and other directives, and those who follow the plan in good faith would receive civil and criminal immunity. The state would set up a standardized PPEL form through a task force, and rules would be issued for how these plans are used in schools and outside of school settings; execution requires signing by all qualified representatives, and schools would notify local EMS when such a plan is in place.

Who It Affects
Qualified minors (birth to 19) diagnosed as terminally ill or injured, who would have a palliative and end of life health plan guiding medical care and school participation.
Qualified representatives (parents, legal guardians, or an adult acting in loco parentis) who would execute advance directives, DNAR orders, and the palliative plan on behalf of the minor, and who would receive protections and responsibilities under the act.

Key Provisions
Creation of the palliative and end of life health plan for qualified minors, to be developed with a physician and filed with the minor's school or care setting.
Establishment of the Physician Order for Pediatric PPEL Care form and the Portable Physician DNAR Order, with rules for use in schools and outside of school; execution requires signatures of all qualified representatives.
Civil and criminal immunity for individuals, health care providers, health care facilities, schools, and other entities that follow the directives of the palliative plan in good faith.
Creation of a Governor appointed task force to develop the PPEL form and related rules, along with Board of Education and Department of Public Health rulemaking to implement the plan in school and non-school contexts.
Rules and definitions clarifying terms such as qualified minor, qualified representative, life-sustaining treatment, and portable orders, and requirements for filing, documentation, and notification to emergency services.

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