HB168 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Nathaniel LedbetterRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

End-of-life care, minors, requires doctors to obtain consent of parent or legal guardian of minor prior to entering "do not attempt resuscitation order" order, Sec. 22-8A-18 added.

Summary

HB 168 would require parental consent before a DNAR order for qualified minors and create rules to inform, record, and resolve end-of-life decisions.

What This Bill Does

It bars health facilities or providers from issuing a DNAR or similar order for a qualified minor without the written or oral consent of at least one parent or legal guardian, except under specified conditions. Before a DNAR is entered, the physician or facility must inform at least one parent (and try to inform the other if possible) and record who was informed in the medical record; consent or refusal must also be documented. A DNAR cannot be started if there is timely refusal of consent unless a court orders otherwise, and if parents disagree, either may seek a circuit court to resolve the conflict, with CPR presumed pending final determination. The bill also adds Simon's Law (22-8A-18), requiring an Order for Pediatric PPEL Care before a DNAR for a minor and requiring information about resuscitation policies to be provided upon request, while preserving provider liability protections when following authorized orders.

Who It Affects

• Qualified minor patients and their parents or legal guardians, who gain enhanced protection and must be informed and must consent (or refuse) before a DNAR is issued; they may also initiate or participate in court proceedings to resolve consent disputes.
• Health care facilities and health care professionals, who must obtain and document parental consent or refusal, inform both parents when possible, record all communications, follow court procedures if there is disagreement, and disclose resuscitation policies upon request.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits DNAR or similar orders for qualified minors without the written or oral consent of at least one parent or legal guardian, unless specified conditions apply.
• Requires informing at least one parent (and attempting to inform the other) prior to instituting a DNAR order and recording who was informed in the medical record; consent or refusal must be documented.
• No DNAR order may be instituted if there is timely consent refusal, except as allowed by a court order; provides a process to resolve disputes via circuit court, with a presumption of CPR during the process.
• Adds Simon's Law (22-8A-18): a DNAR cannot be instituted for a minor until an Order for Pediatric PPEL Care is executed and information about the intent to institute DNAR is provided both orally and in writing; requires information to be recorded.
• Requires health care facilities to disclose policies related to resuscitation and life-sustaining treatments upon request, while not mandating a specific written policy.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health Care