California Health and Safety Code

§ 442.5

HSC § 442.5 Effective Jan 1, 2016Div. 1 · Part 1.8

Statute text

(a)When a health care provider makes a diagnosis that a patient has a terminal illness, the health care provider shall do both of the following:

(1)Notify the patient of his or her right, or, when applicable, the right of another person authorized to make health care decisions for the patient, to comprehensive information and counseling regarding legal end-of-life options. This notification may be provided at the time of diagnosis or at a subsequent visit in which the provider discusses treatment options with the patient or the other authorized person.

(2)Upon the request of the patient or another person authorized to make health care decisions for the patient, provide the patient or other authorized person with comprehensive information and counseling regarding legal end-of-life care options pursuant to this section. When a terminally ill patient is in a health facility, as defined in Section 1250, the health care provider, or medical director of the health facility if the patient’s health care provider is not available, may refer the patient or other authorized person to a hospice provider or private or public agencies and community-based organizations that specialize in end-of-life care case management and consultation to receive comprehensive information and counseling regarding legal end-of-life care options.

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Legislative history

Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 245. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.