HB224 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Nathaniel LedbetterRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

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

HB224 requires parental consent before a Do Not Resuscitate order for a qualified minor and creates a process to resolve disagreements over end-of-life decisions.

What This Bill Does

Creates Simon's Law (Section 22-8A-18) which requires consent from the minor's representative and notice to at least one parent before a DNAR order can be issued, with consent usable in writing or orally. Requires DNAR and Pediatric Palliative and End-of-Life (PPEL) orders for qualified minors to obtain consent and inform at least one parent, with documentation of who was informed and when. If consent is refused, the refusal must be recorded and a DNAR order cannot be started unless consent is given later or a court orders otherwise. If the parents or representatives cannot agree, either may petition a circuit court to resolve the conflict; during the proceedings, a DNAR order is not implemented and there is a presumption in favor of CPR. The act requires facilities to disclose policies on request, preserves existing federal rights under the Patient Self Determination Act, and becomes effective three months after passage.

Who It Affects

• Qualified minors and their parents or legal representatives, who must consent to DNAR/PPEL orders and be informed about decisions; they may also use court processes to resolve disagreements.
• Health care facilities, physicians, and other health care providers, who must obtain consent, document notifications and decisions, handle conflicts through courts if necessary, and provide policy information upon request.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 22-8A-18 (Simon’s Law) requiring consent from the minor’s representative and informing at least one parent before instituting a DNAR order, with consent permissible in writing or orally.
• DNAR and PPEL orders for qualified minors cannot be instituted without the required consent and parental notification; the medical record must document who was informed and when.
• If consent is refused, the refusal must be recorded and DNAR cannot be instituted until later consent or a court order.
• If there is disagreement between parents/representatives, a circuit court may be petitioned to resolve the conflict; a preliminary hearing may be held, and pending determination, a DNAR order shall not be implemented, with a presumption in favor of CPR during the dispute.
• Facilities may be required to disclose relevant policies on request; the act aligns with federalPatient Self Determination Act rights and becomes law three months after passage.

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 CareHealth