A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to DIRECT THE Department of Health and Human Services to STUDY requiring the signature of the patient's parent, guardian, or REPRESENTATIVE ON "DO NOT RESUSCITATE" ORDER FORMS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall study the effect of requiring a written and signed concurrence by the patient's guardian or representative on a physician's order form specifying withholding or discontinuing extraordinary means or artificial nutrition or hydration pursuant to G.S. 90‑322(b). The study shall examine the anticipated effect that amending G.S. 90‑322(b) to add this requirement to the current process would have on the provision, withholding, or discontinuation of care involving extraordinary means or artificial nutrition or hydration to patients.  Issues that may be addressed by the Department in its study include current practices relating to issuance of "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) orders in other states, the addition of patient guardian or representative signatures to a physician's order form, and anticipated increases or reductions in the provision, discontinuation, or withholding of each of the types of care affected by "DNR" orders.
In conducting the study, the Department shall review relevant incident data and shall seek input from the North Carolina Medical Society, the North Carolina Hospital Association, and patient advocacy groups.  The Department shall report its findings and recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.