HB194 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Palliative and end of life individual health plans, minors, representative authorized to provide health care and other directives to health care providers, schools, etc. where terminally ill, Alex Hoover Act, Secs. 22-8A-15 to 22-8A-17, inclusive, added; Secs. 22-8A-2, 22-8A-3, 22-8A-7 am'd.

Summary

HB 194, the Alex Hoover Act, lets a terminally ill minor's parent or guardian, with a doctor, create a Pediatric Palliative and End of Life Care order to guide treatment, with liability protections for providers and a state-approved form process.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a representative of a qualified minor to execute a Directive for PPEL Care in consultation with the attending physician. It requires the Department of Public Health, with a temporary task force, to establish an Order for Pediatric Palliative and End of Life Care (PPEL) form and related rules by March 31, 2019, and the form becomes a valid medical order when entered into the minor's record. It provides immunity from criminal or civil liability and from unprofessional conduct for health care providers who follow a PPEL Care order, and it clarifies that the minor’s and representative’s communications can supersede the formal order. In schools, the PPEL Care order would apply only if it is included in a Palliative and End of Life health plan for the student, and the attending physician would not supervise how schools carry out the plan (with some provisions contingent on related legislation).

Who It Affects

• Terminally ill or injured minors (Qualified Minors) and their parent/guardian or designated representative who may sign an Order for PPEL Care with input from the attending physician.
• Health care providers and health care facilities (including schools when applicable) who would implement the PPEL Care order and receive liability protections for acting in accordance with it.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a parent, legal guardian, or other designated representative of a qualified minor to execute a Directive for medical treatment and palliative care in consultation with the minor's attending physician.
• Requires the Department of Public Health, with a temporary task force representing a broad range of health, educational, and community stakeholders, to adopt rules and establish an Order for Pediatric Palliative and End of Life Care form by March 31, 2019; the form, once entered into the medical record, becomes the official PPEL Care order.
• Provides immunity from criminal or civil liability and from unprofessional conduct for health care providers who follow, withhold, or withdraw treatment under a valid PPEL Care order, and clarifies that the act does not create a new standard of care.
• Defines key terms (Qualified Minor, Representative of a Qualified Minor, Living Will, Health Care Proxy, Life-Sustaining Treatment) and states that the minor’s and representative’s wishes can supersede the PPEL Care order, and that the attending physician has no supervisory authority over a school's execution of a PPEL Care plan; school applicability depends on related provisions and legislation.

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