Two changes to North Dakota's health care directives law go into effect August 1, 2007.
Senate Bill 2212 eliminates the requirement that hospitals and long-term care centers provide additional counseling and paperwork when a patient or resident appoints a health care agent.
The new law does not require any changes to the Catholic Health Care Directive produced by the North Dakota Catholic Conference. The separate addendum produced by the conference for those instances when a resident or patient appoints a health care agent will no longer be needed.
If your facility is using the statutory optional form, the last two sections of the existing form will now become unnecessary. You can ignore or block out those sections of the form.
Another passed bill, Senate Bill 2308, allows an individual to authorize a health care agent to speak for the individual even if he or she still has the capacity to communicate. Senate Bill 2308 does not require changes to either the Catholic Health Care Directive or the optional statutory form.