Greenleaf Living Will Bill Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee

HARRISBURG—Legislation offered by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to provide a clear statutory means for competent adults to provide direction for their health care through instructions written in advance of treatment or through designation of a health care agent was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Senate Bill 628, which is based on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Decedents' Estates Laws, would provide for comprehensive health care powers of attorney and a framework for their operation.  The measure would permit a living will and health care power of attorney to be combined into a single document.  It would also establish an order of relatives and companions that a health care provider may call upon to act as a health care representative if a patient is incapable of making health care decisions and has not executed a living will or health care power of attorney.

A similar bill sponsored by Greenleaf last session was approved by the Legislature, but vetoed by the Governor.  Discussions are ongoing to resolve the issues raised by the Governor as the measure moves through the legislative process this session.