House approves consolidated Utah Advance Healthcare Directive to simplify end-of-life planning
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Summary
Lawmakers passed the Advanced Health Care Directive Act, consolidating living wills, medical powers of attorney and treatment plans into one form designed to be more accessible; sponsors said the form will be available without attorneys and will not invalidate existing directives.
The House passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 75, the Advanced Health Care Directive Act, which consolidates three existing instruments — living wills, medical powers of attorney and medical treatment plans — into a single Utah Advance Healthcare Directive form meant to simplify end-of-life planning.
Sponsor Representative Wyatt described the consolidation as responding to changes in medical and legal practice since the existing living-will law was adopted. "This gives us a chance to sit down and say, you know what? I'd like to designate an agent to make decisions for me," he said, and he urged members to review the sample form distributed to members.
Members asked whether the new form would invalidate existing documents and whether it would be accessible to people who cannot afford attorneys. Wyatt said existing living wills are not negated and that people will not need attorneys to complete the new form; endorsements from the Utah Department of Health, Division of Aging, and the Utah Medical Association were cited to support public accessibility.
Registered nurse Representative Lockhart told the chamber the new form is simpler and would be easier for hospital staff to use and for patients to understand. Representative Johnson urged that the Legislature ensure the forms are available online without requiring attorney services to make them accessible to low-income residents.
The bill passed unanimously in the House, 70–0, and was sent to the Senate for signature.
