Section 154.25. General provisions.

 

(1)   Suicide. Under this subchapter, the withholding or withdrawing of resuscitation from a patient wearing a valid do-not-resuscitate bracelet does not, for any purpose, constitute suicide. Requesting a do-not-resuscitate order under this subchapter does not, for any purpose, constitute attempted suicide.

(2)   Life insurance. Requesting a do-not-resuscitate order under s. 154.19 may not be used to impair in any manner the procurement of any policy of life insurance, and may not be used to modify the terms of an existing policy of life insurance. No policy of life insurance may be impaired in any manner by the withholding or withdrawal of resuscitation from a qualified patient.

(3)   Health insurance. No person may be required to request a do-not-resuscitate order as a condition prior to being admitted to a health care facility or being insured for, or receiving, health care services.

(4)   Other rights. This subchapter does not impair or supersede any of the following:

(a) A person's right to withhold or withdraw resuscitation.

(b) The right of any person who does not have a do-not-resuscitate order in effect to receive resuscitation.

(5)   Intent. Failure to request a do-not-resuscitate order creates no presumption that the person consents to the use or withholding of resuscitation in the event that the person suffers from a condition that renders the person a qualified patient.

(6)   Valid do-not-resuscitate bracelet. A do-not-resuscitate bracelet that has not been removed, altered or tampered with in any way shall be presumed valid, unless the patient, the patient's guardian or the patient's health care agent expresses to the emergency medical technician, first responder or emergency health care facility personnel the patient's desire to be resuscitated.

(6m)   Desire of the patient. The desire of a patient to be resuscitated supersedes the effect of that patient's do-not-resuscitate order at all times.

(7)   Construction. Nothing in this subchapter condones, authorizes or permits any affirmative or deliberate act to end life other than to permit the natural process of dying.

1995 a. 200 ; 1997 a. 27 .