SB 256 – AS INTRODUCED
2014 SESSION
01/04
SENATE BILL 256
AN ACT requiring health care facilities to implement a process to inform patients about palliative care options.
SPONSORS: Sen. Reagan, Dist 17; Rep. Suzanne Smith, Graf 8; Rep. Kotowski, Merr 24
COMMITTEE: Health, Education and Human Services
This bill requires health care facilities to implement a process to inform patients about palliative care options as part of the licensure and re-licensure requirements.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
14-2684
01/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen
AN ACT requiring health care facilities to implement a process to inform patients about palliative care options.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Information on Palliative Care Options Required. Amend RSA 151 by inserting after section 5-c the following new section:
151:5-d Information on Palliative Care Options Required. Any facility required to be licensed under this chapter shall establish a procedure for identifying patients or residents who may benefit from palliative care. The facility shall provide information about palliative care and facilitate access to appropriate palliative care for such patients or residents. For the purposes of this section “palliative care” means care that focuses on the quality of life for patients and may include, but not be limited to, relief from pain and other distressing symptoms, offers a support system to both the patient and the patient’s family, and uses a team approach to address the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social concerns that arise with serious illness.
2 New Subparagraph; Palliative Care; Rulemaking Added. Amend RSA 151:9, I by inserting after subparagraph (o) the following new subparagraph:
(p) Procedures for establishing palliative care procedures, including further definition of “palliative care” under RSA 151:5-d.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2015.