HBA-JRA H.B. 2703 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2703
By: Reyna, Arthur
Public Health
3/23/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Health and Safety Code provides a sample living will.
However, the form does not specifically address the withholding of
nutrition and hydration.  H.B. 2703 amends the sample living will to
include a paragraph relating to withholding nutrition and hydration in the
event of a terminal condition and a determination of imminent death. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 672.004, Health and Safety Code, to add to the
form of a written directive to physicians a paragraph relating to
withholding nutrition and hydration in the event of a terminal condition
and a determination of imminent death.  Redesignates existing Paragraphs
2-6 of the directive to Paragraphs 3-7.  Provides that the declarant must
separately acknowledge Paragraph 2 of the directive in order for it to be
valid. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.