Chapter 2133 | Modified Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act; DNR Identification and Do-not-resuscitate Orders

Section 2133.01 | Modified uniform rights of terminally ill act definitions.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Adult" means an individual who is eighteen years of age or older.

(B) "Attending physician" means the physician to whom a declarant or other patient, or the family of a declarant or other patient, has assigned primary responsibility for the treatment or care of the declarant or other patient, or, if the responsibility has not been assigned, the physician who has accepted that responsibility.

(C) "Comfort care" means any of the following:

(1) Nutrition when administered to diminish the pain or discomfort of a declarant or other patient, but not to postpone the declarant's or other patient's death;

(2) Hydration when administered to diminish the pain or discomfort of a declarant or other patient, but not to postpone the declarant's or other patient's death;

(3) Any other medical or nursing procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure that is taken to diminish the pain or discomfort of a declarant or other patient, but not to postpone the declarant's or other patient's death.

(D) "Consulting physician" means a physician who, in conjunction with the attending physician of a declarant or other patient, makes one or more determinations that are required to be made by the attending physician, or to be made by the attending physician and one other physician, by an applicable provision of this chapter, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and in accordance with reasonable medical standards.

(E) "Declarant" means any adult who has executed a declaration in accordance with section 2133.02 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Declaration" means a written document executed in accordance with section 2133.02 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Durable power of attorney for health care" means a document created pursuant to sections 1337.11 to 1337.17 of the Revised Code.

(H) "Guardian" means a person appointed by a probate court pursuant to Chapter 2111. of the Revised Code to have the care and management of the person of an incompetent.

(I) "Health care facility" means any of the following:

(1) A hospital;

(2) A hospice care program, pediatric respite care program, or other institution that specializes in comfort care of patients in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state;

(3) A nursing home or residential care facility, as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code;

(4) A home health agency and any residential facility where a person is receiving care under the direction of a home health agency;

(5) An intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

(J) "Health care personnel" means physicians, nurses, physician assistants, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, emergency medical technicians-paramedic, medical technicians, dietitians, other authorized persons acting under the direction of an attending physician, and administrators of health care facilities.

(K) "Home health agency" has the same meaning as in section 3740.01 of the Revised Code.

(L) "Hospice care program" and "pediatric respite care program" have the same meanings as in section 3712.01 of the Revised Code.

(M) "Hospital" has the same meanings as in sections 3701.01, 3727.01, and 5122.01 of the Revised Code.

(N) "Hydration" means fluids that are artificially or technologically administered.

(O) "Incompetent" has the same meaning as in section 2111.01 of the Revised Code.

(P) "Intermediate care facility for the individuals with intellectual disabilities" has the same meaning as in section 5124.01 of the Revised Code.

(Q) "Life-sustaining treatment" means any medical procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure that, when administered to a qualified patient or other patient, will serve principally to prolong the process of dying.

(R) "Nurse" means a person who is licensed to practice nursing as a registered nurse or to practice practical nursing as a licensed practical nurse pursuant to Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

(S) "Nursing home" has the same meaning as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(T) "Nutrition" means sustenance that is artificially or technologically administered.

(U) "Permanently unconscious state" means a state of permanent unconsciousness in a declarant or other patient that, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty as determined in accordance with reasonable medical standards by the declarant's or other patient's attending physician and one other physician who has examined the declarant or other patient, is characterized by both of the following:

(1) Irreversible unawareness of one's being and environment.

(2) Total loss of cerebral cortical functioning, resulting in the declarant or other patient having no capacity to experience pain or suffering.

(V) "Person" has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and additionally includes political subdivisions and governmental agencies, boards, commissions, departments, institutions, offices, and other instrumentalities.

(W) "Physician" means a person who is authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(X) "Political subdivision" and "state" have the same meanings as in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code.

(Y) "Professional disciplinary action" means action taken by the board or other entity that regulates the professional conduct of health care personnel, including the state medical board and the board of nursing.

(Z) "Qualified patient" means an adult who has executed a declaration and has been determined to be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state.

(AA) "Terminal condition" means an irreversible, incurable, and untreatable condition caused by disease, illness, or injury from which, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty as determined in accordance with reasonable medical standards by a declarant's or other patient's attending physician and one other physician who has examined the declarant or other patient, both of the following apply:

(1) There can be no recovery.

(2) Death is likely to occur within a relatively short time if life-sustaining treatment is not administered.

(BB) "Tort action" means a civil action for damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property, other than a civil action for damages for breach of a contract or another agreement between persons.

Last updated July 26, 2021 at 9:05 AM

Section 2133.02 | Declaration relating to use of life-sustaining treatment.

• Effective: March 15, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 494 - 123rd General Assembly

(A)(1) An adult who is of sound mind voluntarily may execute at any time a declaration governing the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment. The declaration shall be signed at the end by the declarant or by another individual at the direction of the declarant, state the date of its execution, and either be witnessed as described in division (B)(1) of this section or be acknowledged by the declarant in accordance with division (B)(2) of this section. The declaration may include a designation by the declarant of one or more persons who are to be notified by the declarant's attending physician at any time that life-sustaining treatment would be withheld or withdrawn pursuant to the declaration. The declaration may include a specific authorization for the use or continuation or the withholding or withdrawal of CPR, but the failure to include a specific authorization for the withholding or withdrawal of CPR does not preclude the withholding or withdrawal of CPR in accordance with sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 or sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code.

(2) Depending upon whether the declarant intends the declaration to apply when the declarant is in a terminal condition, in a permanently unconscious state, or in either a terminal condition or a permanently unconscious state, the declarant's declaration shall use either or both of the terms "terminal condition" and "permanently unconscious state" and shall define or otherwise explain those terms in a manner that is substantially consistent with the provisions of section 2133.01 of the Revised Code.

(3)(a) If a declarant who has authorized the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment intends that the declarant's attending physician withhold or withdraw nutrition or hydration when the declarant is in a permanently unconscious state and when the nutrition and hydration will not or no longer will serve to provide comfort to the declarant or alleviate the declarant's pain, then the declarant shall authorize the declarant's attending physician to withhold or withdraw nutrition or hydration when the declarant is in the permanently unconscious state by doing both of the following in the declaration:

(i) Including a statement in capital letters or other conspicuous type, including, but not limited to, a different font, bigger type, or boldface type, that the declarant's attending physician may withhold or withdraw nutrition and hydration if the declarant is in a permanently unconscious state and if the declarant's attending physician and at least one other physician who has examined the declarant determine, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, that nutrition or hydration will not or no longer will serve to provide comfort to the declarant or alleviate the declarant's pain, or checking or otherwise marking a box or line that is adjacent to a similar statement on a printed form of a declaration;

(ii) Placing the declarant's initials or signature underneath or adjacent to the statement, check, or other mark described in division (A)(3)(a)(i) of this section.

(b) Division (A)(3)(a) of this section does not apply to the extent that a declaration authorizes the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment when a declarant is in a terminal condition. The provisions of division (E) of section 2133.12 of the Revised Code pertaining to comfort care shall apply to a declarant in a terminal condition.

(B)(1) If witnessed for purposes of division (A) of this section, a declaration shall be witnessed by two individuals as described in this division in whose presence the declarant, or another individual at the direction of the declarant, signed the declaration. The witnesses to a declaration shall be adults who are not related to the declarant by blood, marriage, or adoption, who are not the attending physician of the declarant, and who are not the administrator of any nursing home in which the declarant is receiving care. Each witness shall subscribe the witness' signature after the signature of the declarant or other individual at the direction of the declarant and, by doing so, attest to the witness' belief that the declarant appears to be of sound mind and not under or subject to duress, fraud, or undue influence. The signatures of the declarant or other individual at the direction of the declarant under division (A) of this section and of the witnesses under this division are not required to appear on the same page of the declaration.

(2) If acknowledged for purposes of division (A) of this section, a declaration shall be acknowledged before a notary public, who shall make the certification described in section 147.53 of the Revised Code and also shall attest that the declarant appears to be of sound mind and not under or subject to duress, fraud, or undue influence.

(C) An attending physician, or other health care personnel acting under the direction of an attending physician, who is furnished a copy of a declaration shall make it a part of the declarant's medical record and, when section 2133.05 of the Revised Code is applicable, also shall comply with that section.

(D)(1) Subject to division (D)(2) of this section, an attending physician of a declarant or a health care facility in which a declarant is confined may refuse to comply or allow compliance with the declarant's declaration on the basis of a matter of conscience or on another basis. An employee or agent of an attending physician of a declarant or of a health care facility in which a declarant is confined may refuse to comply with the declarant's declaration on the basis of a matter of conscience.

(2) If an attending physician of a declarant or a health care facility in which a declarant is confined is not willing or not able to comply or allow compliance with the declarant's declaration, the physician or facility promptly shall so advise the declarant and comply with the provisions of section 2133.10 of the Revised Code, or, if the declaration has become operative as described in division (A) of section 2133.03 of the Revised Code, shall comply with the provisions of section 2133.10 of the Revised Code.

(E) As used in this section, "CPR" has the same meaning as in section 2133.21 of the Revised Code.

Section 2133.03 | When declaration operative.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

(A)(1) A declaration becomes operative when it is communicated to the attending physician of the declarant, the attending physician and one other physician who examines the declarant determine that the declarant is in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever is addressed in the declaration, the applicable requirements of divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section are satisfied, and the attending physician determines that the declarant no longer is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment. When the declaration becomes operative, the attending physician and health care facilities shall act in accordance with its provisions or comply with the provisions of section 2133.10 of the Revised Code.

(2) In order for a declaration to become operative in connection with a declarant who is in a permanently unconscious state, the consulting physician associated with the determination that the declarant is in the permanently unconscious state shall be a physician who, by virtue of advanced education or training, of a practice limited to particular diseases, illnesses, injuries, therapies, or branches of medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, of certification as a specialist in a particular branch of medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, or of experience acquired in the practice of medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, is qualified to determine whether the declarant is in a permanently unconscious state.

(3) In order for a declaration to become operative in connection with a declarant who is in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, the attending physician of the declarant shall determine, in good faith, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, that there is no reasonable possibility that the declarant will regain the capacity to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment.

(B)(1)(a) A declaration supersedes any general consent to treatment form signed by or on behalf of the declarant prior to, upon, or after the declarant's admission to a health care facility to the extent there is a conflict between the declaration and the form, even if the form is signed after the execution of the declaration. To the extent that the provisions of a declaration and a general consent to treatment form do not conflict, both documents shall govern the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment and other medical or nursing procedures, treatments, interventions, or other measures in connection with the declarant. Division (B)(1)(a) of this section does not apply if a declaration is revoked pursuant to section 2133.04 of the Revised Code after the signing of a general consent to treatment form.

(b) A declaration supersedes a DNR identification, as defined in section 2133.21 of the Revised Code, of the declarant that is based upon a prior, inconsistent declaration of the declarant or that is based upon a do-not-resuscitate order, as defined in section 2133.21 of the Revised Code, that a physician has issued for the declarant and that is inconsistent with the declaration.

(2) If a declarant has both a valid durable power of attorney for health care and a valid declaration, the declaration supersedes the durable power of attorney for health care to the extent that the provisions of the documents would conflict if the declarant should be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state. Division (B)(2) of this section does not apply if the declarant revokes the declaration pursuant to section 2133.04 of the Revised Code.

Section 2133.04 | Revocation of declaration.

• Effective: March 20, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 126 - 130th General Assembly

(A) A declarant may revoke a declaration at any time and in any manner. The revocation shall be effective when the declarant expresses an intention to revoke the declaration, except that, if the declarant made the declarant's attending physician aware of the declaration, the revocation shall be effective upon its communication to the attending physician of the declarant by the declarant, a witness to the revocation, or other health care personnel to whom the revocation is communicated by that witness. Absent actual knowledge to the contrary, the attending physician of a declarant and other health care personnel who are informed of the revocation of a declaration by an alleged witness may rely on the information and act in accordance with the revocation.

(B) Upon the communication as described in division (A) of this section to the attending physician of a declarant of the fact that the declaration has been revoked, the attending physician or other health care personnel acting under the direction of the attending physician shall make the fact a part of the declarant's medical record.

(C) Unless a declaration provides otherwise, a declaration is revoked by a subsequent declaration.

Section 2133.05 | Duty of attending physician.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 451 - 131st General Assembly

(A) If the attending physician of a declarant and one other physician who examines the declarant determine that the declarant is in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever is addressed in the declaration, if the attending physician additionally determines that the declarant no longer is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment for the declarant and that there is no reasonable possibility that the declarant will regain the capacity to make those informed decisions for the declarant, and if the attending physician is aware of the existence of the declarant's declaration, then the attending physician shall do all of the following:

(1) Record the determinations, together with the terms of the declaration or any copy of the declaration acquired as described in division (C) of section 2133.02 of the Revised Code, in the declarant's medical record;

(2)(a) Make a good faith effort, and use reasonable diligence, to notify either of the following of the determinations:

(i) If the declarant designated in the declarant's declaration one or more persons to be notified at any time that life-sustaining treatment would be withheld or withdrawn pursuant to the declaration, that person or those persons;

(ii) If division (A)(2)(a)(i) of this section is not applicable, the appropriate individual or individuals, in accordance with the following descending order of priority: if any, the guardian of the declarant, but this division does not permit or require, and shall not be construed as permitting or requiring, the appointment of a guardian for the declarant; the declarant's spouse; the declarant's adult children who are available within a reasonable period of time for consultation with the declarant's attending physician; the declarant's parents; or an adult sibling of the declarant or, if there is more than one adult sibling, a majority of the declarant's adult siblings who are available within a reasonable period of time for the consultation.

(b) The attending physician shall record in the declarant's medical record the names of the individual or individuals notified pursuant to division (A)(2)(a) of this section and the manner of notification.

(c) If, despite making a good faith effort, and despite using reasonable diligence, to notify the appropriate individual or individuals described in division (A)(2)(a) of this section, the attending physician cannot notify the individual or individuals of the determinations because the individual or individuals are deceased, cannot be located, or cannot be notified for some other reason, then the requirements of divisions (A)(2)(a) and (b) and (3) of this section and, except as provided in division (B)(1)(b) of this section, the provisions of division (B) of this section shall not apply in connection with the declarant and the declarant's declaration. However, the attending physician shall record in the declarant's medical record information pertaining to the reason for the failure to provide the requisite notices and information pertaining to the nature of the good faith effort and reasonable diligence used.

(3) Afford time for the individual or individuals notified in accordance with division (A)(2) of this section to object in the manner described in division (B)(1)(a) of this section.

(B)(1)(a) Within forty-eight hours after receipt of a notice pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section, any individual so notified shall advise the attending physician of the declarant whether the individual objects on a basis specified in division (B)(2)(c) of this section. If an objection as described in that division is communicated to the attending physician, then, within two business days after the communication, the individual shall file a complaint as described in division (B)(2) of this section in the probate court of the county in which the declarant is located. If the individual fails to so file a complaint or if the individual would not be competent to decide whether or not to consent to the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment for any of the reasons described in division (C)(2) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code, the individual's objections as described in division (B)(2)(c) of this section shall be considered to be void.

(b) Within forty-eight hours after a person described in division (A)(2)(a)(i) of this section or a priority individual or any member of a priority class of individuals described in division (A)(2)(a)(ii) of this section receives a notice pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section or within forty-eight hours after information pertaining to an unnotified person described in division (A)(2)(a)(i) of this section or an unnotified priority individual or unnotified priority class of individuals described in division (A)(2)(a)(ii) of this section is recorded in a declarant's medical record pursuant to division (A)(2)(c) of this section, either of the following shall advise the attending physician of the declarant whether there is an objection on a basis specified in division (B)(2)(c) of this section:

(i) If a person described in division (A)(2)(a)(i) of this section was notified pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section or was the subject of a recordation under division (A)(2)(c) of this section, then the objection shall be communicated by the individual or a majority of the individuals in either of the first two classes of individuals that pertain to the declarant in the descending order of priority set forth in division (A)(2)(a)(ii) of this section.

(ii) If an individual or individuals in the descending order of priority set forth in division (A)(2)(a)(ii) of this section were notified pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section or were the subject of a recordation under division (A)(2)(c) of this section, then the objection shall be communicated by the individual or a majority of the individuals in the next class of individuals that pertains to the declarant in the descending order of priority set forth in division (A)(2)(a)(ii) of this section.

If an objection as described in division (B)(2)(c) of this section is communicated to the attending physician in accordance with division (B)(1)(b)(i) or (ii) of this section, then, within two business days after the communication, the objecting individual or majority shall file a complaint as described in division (B)(2) of this section in the probate court of the county in which the declarant is located. If the objecting individual or majority fails to file a complaint or if the individual or a member of the majority would not be competent to decide whether or not to consent to the withholding or w ithdrawing of life-sustaining treatment for any of the reasons described in division (C)(2) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code, the objections as described in division (B)(2)(c) of this section shall be considered to be void.

(2) A complaint of an individual that is filed in accordance with division (B)(1)(a) of this section or of an individual or majority of individuals that is filed in accordance with division (B)(1)(b) of this section shall satisfy all of the following:

(a) Name any health care facility in which the declarant is confined;

(b) Name the declarant, the declarant's attending physician, and the consulting physician associated with the determination that the declarant is in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever is addressed in the declaration;

(c) Indicate whether the plaintiff or plaintiffs object on one or more of the following bases:

(i) To the attending physician's and consulting physician's determinations that the declarant is in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever is addressed in the declaration;

(ii) To the attending physician's determination that the declarant no longer is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment;

(iii) To the attending physician's determination that there is no reasonable possibility that the declarant will regain the capacity to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment;

(iv) That the course of action proposed to be undertaken by the attending physician is not authorized by the declarant's declaration;

(v) That the declaration was executed when the declarant was not of sound mind or was under or subject to duress, fraud, or undue influence;

(vi) That the declaration otherwise does not substantially comply with this chapter.

(d) Request the probate court to issue one of the following types of orders:

(i) An order to the attending physician to reevaluate, in light of the court proceedings, the determination that the declarant is in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever is addressed in the declaration, the determination that the declarant no longer is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment, the determination that there is no reasonable possibility that the declarant will regain the capacity to make those informed decisions, or the course of action proposed to be undertaken;

(ii) An order invalidating the declaration because it was executed when the declarant was not of sound mind or was under or subject to duress, fraud, or undue influence, or because it otherwise does not substantially comply with this chapter;

(e) Be accompanied by an affidavit of the plaintiff or plaintiffs that includes averments relative to whether the plaintiff is an individual or the plaintiffs are individuals as described in division (A)(2)(a)(i) or (ii) of this section and to the factual basis for the plaintiff's or the plaintiffs' objections;

(f) Name any individuals who were notified by the attending physician in accordance with division (A)(2)(a) of this section and who are not joining in the complaint as plaintiffs;

(g) Name, in the caption of the complaint, as defendants the attending physician of the declarant, the consulting physician associated with the determination that the declarant is in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever is addressed in the declaration, any health care facility in which the declarant is confined, and any individuals who were notified by the attending physician in accordance with division (A)(2)(a) of this section and who are not joining in the complaint as plaintiffs.

(3) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Revised Code or of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the state and persons other than an objecting individual as described in division (B)(1)(a) of this section, other than an objecting individual or majority of individuals as described in division (B)(2)(b)(i) or (ii) of this section, and other than persons described in division (B)(2)(g) of this section are prohibited from commencing a civil action under this section and from joining or being joined as parties to an action commenced under this section, including joining by way of intervention.

(4)(a) A probate court in which a complaint as described in division (B)(2) of this section is filed within the period specified in division (B)(1)(a) or (b) of this section shall conduct a hearing on the complaint after a copy of the complaint and a notice of the hearing have been served upon the defendants. The clerk of the probate court in which the complaint is filed shall cause the complaint and the notice of the hearing to be so served in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure, which service shall be made, if possible, within three days after the filing of the complaint. The hearing shall be conducted at the earliest possible time, but no later than the third business day after the service has been completed. Immediately following the hearing, the court shall enter on its journal its determination whether a requested order will be issued.

(b) If the declarant's declaration authorized the use or continuation of life-sustaining treatment should the declarant be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state and if the plaintiff or plaintiffs requested a reevaluation order to the attending physician of the declarant as described in division (B)(2)(d)(i) of this section, the court shall issue the reevaluation order only if it finds that the plaintiff or plaintiffs have established a factual basis for the objection or objections involved by clear and convincing evidence, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and in accordance with reasonable medical standards.

(c) If the declarant's declaration authorized the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment should the declarant be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state and if the plaintiff or plaintiffs requested a reevaluation order to the attending physician of the declarant as described in division (B)(2)(d)(i) of this section, the court shall issue the reevaluation order only if it finds that the plaintiff or plaintiffs have established a factual basis for the objection or objections involved by a preponderance of the evidence, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and in accordance with reasonable medical standards.

(d) If the plaintiff or plaintiffs requested an invalidation order as described in division (B)(2)(d)(ii) of this section, the court shall issue the order only if it finds that the plaintiff or plaintiffs have established a factual basis for the objection or objections involved by clear and convincing evidence.

(e) If the court issues a reevaluation order to the declarant's attending physician pursuant to division (B)(4)(b) or (c) of this section, then the attending physician shall make the requisite reevaluation. If, after doing so, the attending physician again determines that the declarant is in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, that the declarant no longer is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment, that there is no reasonable possibility that the declarant will regain the capacity to make those informed decisions, or that the attending physician would undertake the same proposed course of action, then the attending physician shall notify the court in writing of the determination and comply with the provisions of section 2133.10 of the Revised Code.

Section 2133.06 | Patient to make decisions on use of life-sustaining treatment.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

(A) As long as a qualified patient is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment, the qualified patient may continue to do so.

(B) Life-sustaining treatment shall not be withheld or withdrawn from a declarant pursuant to a declaration if the declarant is pregnant and if the withholding or withdrawal of the treatment would terminate the pregnancy, unless the declarant's attending physician and one other physician who has examined the declarant determine, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, that the fetus would not be born alive.

Section 2133.07 | Using pre-printed form.

• Effective: August 17, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 7 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "DNR identification" has the same meaning as in section 2133.21 of the Revised Code.

(B) A printed form of a declaration may be sold or otherwise distributed in this state for use by adults who are not advised by an attorney. By use of a printed form of that nature, a declarant may authorize the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment should the declarant be in a terminal condition, a permanently unconscious state, or either a terminal condition or a permanently unconscious state, may authorize the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition or hydration should the declarant be in a permanently unconscious state as described in division (A)(3)(a) of section 2133.02 of the Revised Code, and may designate one or more persons who are to be notified by the declarant's attending physician at any time that life-sustaining treatment would be withheld or withdrawn pursuant to the declaration. The printed form shall not be used as an instrument for granting any other type of authority or for making any other type of designation, except that the printed form may be used as a DNR identification if the declarant specifies on the form that the declarant wishes to use it as a DNR identification.

(C)(1) A printed form of a declaration under division (B) of this section shall include, as a separate page or as a portion of a page that can be detached from the declaration, a donor registry enrollment form that permits the donor to be included in the donor registry created under section 2108.23 of the Revised Code.

(2) The donor registry enrollment form may be in any form that complies with the requirements of division (B) of section 2108.05 of the Revised Code. On completion, the form shall be forwarded to the bureau of motor vehicles.

Last updated May 20, 2021 at 2:14 PM

Section 2133.08 | Consenting to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment from patient.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 451 - 131st General Assembly

(A)(1) If written consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, witnessed by two individuals who satisfy the witness eligibility criteria set forth in division (B)(1) of section 2133.02 of the Revised Code, is given by the appropriate individual or individuals as specified in division (B) of this section to the attending physician of a patient who is an adult, and if all of the following apply in connection with the patient, then, subject to section 2133.09 of the Revised Code, the patient's attending physician may withhold or withdraw the life-sustaining treatment:

(a) The attending physician and one other physician who examines the patient determine, in good faith, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, that the patient is in a terminal condition or the patient currently is and for at least the immediately preceding twelve months has been in a permanently unconscious state, and the attending physician additionally determines, in good faith, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, that the patient no longer is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment and that there is no reasonable possibility that the patient will regain the capacity to make those informed decisions.

(b) The patient does not have a declaration that addresses the patient's intent should the patient be determined to be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever applies, or a durable power of attorney for health care, or has a document that purports to be such a declaration or durable power of attorney for health care but that document is not legally effective.

(c) The consent of the appropriate individual or individuals is given after consultation with the patient's attending physician and after receipt of information from the patient's attending physician or a consulting physician that is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of informed consent.

(d) The appropriate individual or individuals who give a consent are of sound mind and voluntarily give the consent.

(e) If a consent would be given under division (B)(3) of this section, the attending physician made a good faith effort, and used reasonable diligence, to notify the patient's adult children who are available within a reasonable period of time for consultation as described in division (A)(1)(c) of this section.

(2) The consulting physician under division (A)(1)(a) of this section associated with a patient allegedly in a permanently unconscious state shall be a physician who, by virtue of advanced education or training, of a practice limited to particular diseases, illnesses, injuries, therapies, or branches of medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, of certification as a specialist in a particular branch of medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, or of experience acquired in the practice of medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, is qualified to determine whether the patient currently is and for at least the immediately preceding twelve months has been in a permanently unconscious state.

(B) For purposes of division (A) of this section and subject to division (C) of this section, a consent to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment may be given by the appropriate individual or individuals, in accordance with the following descending order of priority:

(1) If any, the guardian of the patient. This division does not permit or require, and shall not be construed as permitting or requiring, the appointment of a guardian for the patient.

(2) The patient's spouse;

(3) An adult child of the patient or, if there is more than one adult child, a majority of the patient's adult children who are available within a reasonable period of time for consultation with the patient's attending physician;

(4) The patient's parents;

(5) An adult sibling of the patient or, if there is more than one adult sibling, a majority of the patient's adult siblings who are available within a reasonable period of time for that consultation;

(6) The nearest adult who is not described in divisions (B)(1) to (5) of this section, who is related to the patient by blood or adoption, and who is available within a reasonable period of time for that consultation.

(C) (1) If an appropriate individual or class of individuals entitled to decide under division (B) of this section whether or not to consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for a patient is not available within a reasonable period of time for the consultation and competent to so decide, or declines to so decide, then the next priority individual or class of individuals specified in that division is authorized to make the decision. However, an equal division in a priority class of individuals under that division does not authorize the next class of individuals specified in that division to make the decision. If an equal division in a priority class of individuals under that division occurs, no written consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from the patient can be given pursuant to this section.

(2)(a) If an appropriate individual entitled to decide under division (B) of this section whether or not to consent to the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment for a patient and that patient are married and are the parties to a pending divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment proceeding, the individual is not competent to so decide, and the next priority individual or class of individuals specified in that division is authorized to make the decision.

(b) If an appropriate individual entitled to decide under division (B) of this section whether or not to consent to the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment for a patient is subject to a temporary protection order, civil protection order, or any other protection order issued by a court in this state or another state and the patient is the alleged victim, the individual is not competent to so decide, and the next priority individual or class of individuals specified in that division is authorized to make that decision.

(c) If a member of a class of individuals entitled to decide under division (B) of this section whether or not to consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for a patient is subject to a temporary protection order, civil protection order, or any other protection order issued by a court in this state or another state and the patient is the alleged victim, the member is not competent to so decide, and the other members of the class of individuals are authorized to make the decision.

(d) If an appropriate individual entitled to decide under division (B) of this section whether or not to consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for a patient has been charged with the offense of felonious assault under section 2903.11 of the Revised Code or the offense of aggravated assault under section 2903.12 of the Revised Code against the patient and the serious physical harm or physical harm suffered by the patient as a result of the offense directly c aused the patient to be in a terminal condition, the individual is not competent to so decide, and the next priority individual or class of individuals specified in that division is authorized to make the decision.

(e) If a member of a class of individuals entitled to decide under division (B) of this section whether or not to consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for a patient has been charged with the offense of felonious assault under section 2903.11 of the Revised Code or the offense of aggravated assault under section 2903.12 of the Revised Code against the patient and the serious physical harm or physical harm suffered by the patient as a result of the offense directly caused the patient to be in a terminal condition, that member is not competent to so decide, and the other members of the class of individuals are authorized to make the decision.

(D)(1) A decision to consent pursuant to this section to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment for a patient shall be made in good faith.

(2) Except as provided in division (D)(4) of this section, if the patient previously expressed an intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment should the patient subsequently be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever applies, and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment, a consent given pursuant to this section shall be valid only if it is consistent with that previously expressed intention.

(3) Except as provided in division (D)(4) of this section, if the patient did not previously express an intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment should the patient subsequently be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever applies, and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment, a consent given pursuant to this section shall be valid only if it is consistent with the type of informed consent decision that the patient would have made if the patient previously had expressed an intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment should the patient subsequently be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever applies, and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment, as inferred from the lifestyle and character of the patient, and from any other evidence of the desires of the patient, prior to the patient's becoming no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment. The Rules of Evidence shall not be binding for purposes of this division.

(4)(a) The attending physician of the patient, and other health care personnel acting under the direction of the attending physician, who do not have actual knowledge of a previously expressed intention as described in division (D)(2) of this section or who do not have actual knowledge that the patient would have made a different type of informed consent decision under the circumstances described in division (D)(3) of this section, may rely on a consent given in accordance with this section unless a probate court decides differently under division (E) of this section.

(b) The immunity conferred by division (C)(1) of section 2133.11 of the Revised Code is not forfeited by an individual who gives a consent to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment for a patient under division (B) of this section if the individual gives the consent in good faith and without actual knowledge, at the time of giving the consent, of either a contrary previously expressed intention of the patient, or a previously expressed intention of the patient, as described in division (D)(2) of this section, that is revealed to the individual subsequent to the time of giving the consent.

(E)(1) Within forty-eight hours after a priority individual or class of individuals gives a consent pursuant to this section to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment and communicates the consent to the patient's attending physician, any individual described in divisions (B)(1) to (5) of this section, except an individual who is not competent to give consent under division (C)(2) of this section, who objects to the application of this section to the patient shall advise the attending physician of the grounds for the objection. If an objection is so communicated to the attending physician, then, within two business days after that communication, the objecting individual shall file a complaint against the priority individual or class of individuals, the patient's attending physician, and the consulting physician associated with the determination that the patient is in a terminal condition or that the patient currently is and for at least the immediately preceding twelve months has been in a permanently unconscious state, in the probate court of the county in which the patient is located for the issuance of an order reversing the consent of the priority individual or class of individuals. If the objecting individual fails to so file a complaint, the individual's objections shall be considered to be void.

A probate court in which a complaint is filed in accordance with this division shall conduct a hearing on the complaint after a copy of the complaint and a notice of the hearing have been served upon the defendants. The clerk of the probate court in which the complaint is filed shall cause the complaint and the notice of the hearing to be so served in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure, which service shall be made, if possible, within three days after the filing of the complaint. The hearing shall be conducted at the earliest possible time, but no later than the third business day after the service has been completed. Immediately following the hearing, the court shall enter on its journal its determination whether the decision of the priority individual or class of individuals to consent to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment in connection with the patient will be confirmed or reversed.

(2) If the decision of the priority individual or class of individuals was to consent to the use or continuation of life-sustaining treatment in connection with the patient, the court only may reverse that consent if the objecting individual establishes, by clear and convincing evidence and, if applicable, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, one or more of the following:

(a) The patient is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment.

(b) The patient has a legally effective declaration that addresses the patient's intent should the patient be determined to be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever applies, or a legally effective durable power of attorney for health care.

(c) The decision to use or continue life-sustaining treatment is not consistent with the previously expressed intention of the patient as described in division (D)(2) of this section.

(d) The decision to use or continue life-sustaining treatment is not consistent with the type of informed consent decision that the patient would have made if the patient previously had expressed an intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment should the patient subsequently be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever applies, and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment as described in division (D)(3) of this section.

(e) The decision of the priority individual or class of individuals was not made after consultation with the patient's attending physician and after receipt of information from the patient's attending physician or a consulting physician that is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of informed consent.

(f) The priority individual, or any member of the priority class of individuals, who made the decision to use or continue life-sustaining treatment was not of sound mind or did not voluntarily make the decision.

(g) If the decision of a priority class of individuals under division (B)(3) of this section is involved, the patient's attending physician did not make a good faith effort, and use reasonable diligence, to notify the patient's adult children who were available within a reasonable period of time for consultation as described in division (A)(1)(c) of this section.

(h) The decision of the priority individual or class of individuals otherwise was made in a manner that does not comply with this section.

(3) If the decision of the priority individual or class of individuals was to consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in connection with the patient, the court only may reverse that consent if the objecting individual establishes, by a preponderance of the evidence and, if applicable, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, one or more of the following:

(a) The patient is not in a terminal condition, the patient is not in a permanently unconscious state, or the patient has not been in a permanently unconscious state for at least the immediately preceding twelve months.

(b) The patient is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment.

(c) There is a reasonable possibility that the patient will regain the capacity to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment.

(d) The patient has a legally effective declaration that addresses the patient's intent should the patient be determined to be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever applies, or a legally effective durable power of attorney for health care.

(e) The decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment is not consistent with the previously expressed intention of the patient as described in division (D)(2) of this section.

(f) The decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment is not consistent with the type of informed consent decision that the patient would have made if the patient previously had expressed an intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment should the patient subsequently be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, whichever applies, and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment as described in division (D)(3) of this section.

(g) The decision of the priority individual or class of individuals was not made after consultation with the patient's attending physician and after receipt of information from the patient's attending physician or a consulting physician that is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of informed consent.

(h) The priority individual, or any member of the priority class of individuals, who made the decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment was not of sound mind, was not competent to make the decision under division (C)(2) of this section, or did not voluntarily make the decision.

(i) If the decision of a priority class of individuals under division (B)(3) of this section is involved, the patient's attending physician did not make a good faith effort, and use reasonable diligence, to notify the patient's adult children who were available within a reasonable period of time for consultation as described in division (A)(1)(c) of this section.

(j) The decision of the priority individual or class of individuals otherwise was made in a manner that does not comply with this section.

(4) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Revised Code or of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the state and persons other than individuals described in divisions (B)(1) to (5) of this section are prohibited from filing a complaint under division (E) of this section and from joining or being joined as parties to a hearing conducted under division (E) of this section, including joining by way of intervention.

(F) A valid consent given in accordance with this section supersedes any general consent to treatment form signed by or on behalf of the patient prior to, upon, or after the patient's admission to a health care facility to the extent there is a conflict between the consent and the form.

(G) Life-sustaining treatment shall not be withheld or withdrawn from a patient pursuant to a consent given in accordance with this section if the patient is pregnant and if the withholding or withdrawal of the treatment would terminate the pregnancy, unless the patient's attending physician and one other physician who has examined the patient determine, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, that the fetus would not be born alive.

(H) As used in this section, "civil protection order" and "temporary protection order" have the same meanings as in section 2923.124 of the Revised Code.

Section 2133.09 | Withholding or withdrawing nutrition and hydration from patient who has been in permanently unconscious state for at least 12 months.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 451 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The attending physician of a patient who is an adult and who currently is and for at least the immediately preceding twelve months has been in a permanently unconscious state may withhold or withdraw nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient only if all of the following apply:

(1) Written consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in connection with the patient has been given by an appropriate individual or individuals in accordance with section 2133.08 of the Revised Code, and divisions (A)(1)(a) to (e) and (2) of that section have been satisfied.

(2) A probate court has not reversed the consent to the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in connection with the patient pursuant to division (E) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code.

(3) The attending physician of the patient and one other physician as described in division (A)(2) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code who examines the patient determine, in good faith, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, that nutrition and hydration will not or no longer will provide comfort or alleviate pain in connection with the patient.

(4) Written consent to the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient, witnessed by two individuals who satisfy the witness eligibility criteria set forth in division (B)(1) of section 2133.02 of the Revised Code, is given to the attending physician of the patient by an appropriate individual or individuals as specified in division (B) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code.

(5) The written consent to the withholding or withdrawal of the nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient is given in accordance with division (B) of this section.

(6) The probate court of the county in which the patient is located issues an order to withhold or withdraw the nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient pursuant to division (C) of this section.

(B)(1) A decision to consent pursuant to this section to the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in connection with a patient shall be made in good faith.

(2) Except as provided in division (B)(4) of this section, if the patient previously expressed an intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of nutrition and hydration should the patient subsequently be in a permanently unconscious state and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of nutrition and hydration, a consent given pursuant to this section shall be valid only if it is consistent with that previously expressed intention.

(3) Except as provided in division (B)(4) of this section, if the patient did not previously express an intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of nutrition and hydration should the patient subsequently be in a permanently unconscious state and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of nutrition and hydration, a consent given pursuant to this section shall be valid only if it is consistent with the type of informed consent decision that the patient would have made if the patient previously had expressed an intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of nutrition and hydration should the patient subsequently be in a permanently unconscious state and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of nutrition and hydration, as inferred from the lifestyle and character of the patient, and from any other evidence of the desires of the patient, prior to the patient's becoming no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of nutrition and hydration. The Rules of Evidence shall not be binding for purposes of this division.

(4)(a) The attending physician of the patient, and other health care personnel acting under the direction of the attending physician, who do not have actual knowledge of a previously expressed intention as described in division (B)(2) of this section or who do not have actual knowledge that the patient would have made a different type of informed consent decision under the circumstances described in division (B)(3) of this section, may rely on a consent given in accordance with this section unless a probate court decides differently under division (C) of this section.

(b) The immunity conferred by division (C)(2) of section 2133.11 of the Revised Code is not forfeited by an individual who gives a consent to the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in connection with a patient under division (A)(4) of this section if the individual gives the consent in good faith and without actual knowledge, at the time of giving the consent, of either a contrary previously expressed intention of the patient, or a previously expressed intention of the patient, as described in division (B)(2) of this section, that is revealed to the individual subsequent to the time of giving the consent.

(C)(1) Prior to the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in connection with a patient pursuant to this section, the priority individual or class of individuals that consented to the withholding or withdrawal of the nutrition and hydration shall apply to the probate court of the county in which the patient is located for the issuance of an order that authorizes the attending physician of the patient to commence the withholding or withdrawal of the nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient. Upon the filing of the application, the clerk of the probate court shall schedule a hearing on it and cause a copy of it and a notice of the hearing to be served in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure upon the applicant, the attending physician, the consulting physician associated with the determination that nutrition and hydration will not or no longer will provide comfort or alleviate pain in connection with the patient, and the individuals described in divisions (B)(1) to (5) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code who are not applicants, which service shall be made, if possible, within three days after the filing of the application. The hearing shall be conducted at the earliest possible time, but no sooner than the thirtieth business day, and no later than the sixtieth business day, after the service has been completed.

At the hearing, any individual described in divisions (B)(1) to (5) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code who is not an applicant, except an individual who is not competent under division (C)(2) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code, and who disagrees with the decision of the priority individual or class of individuals to consent to the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient shall be permitted to testify and present evidence relative to the use or continuation of nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient. Immediately following the hearing, the court shall enter on its journal its determination whether the requested order will be issued.

(2) The court shall issue an order that authorizes the patient's attending physician to commence the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient only if the applicants establish, by clear and convincing evidence, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, all of the following:

(a) The patient currently is and for at least the immediately preceding twelve months has been in a permanently unconscious state.

(b) The patient no longer is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment.

(c) There is no reasonable possibility that the patient will regain the capacity to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment.

(d) The conditions specified in divisions (A)(1) to (4) of this section have been satisfied.

(e) The decision to withhold or withdraw nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient is consistent with the previously expressed intention of the patient as described in division (B)(2) of this section or is consistent with the type of informed consent decision that the patient would have made if the patient previously had expressed an intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of nutrition and hydration should the patient subsequently be in a permanently unconscious state and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of nutrition and hydration as described in division (B)(3) of this section.

(3) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Revised Code or of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the state and persons other than individuals described in division (A)(4) of this section or in divisions (B)(1) to (5) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code and other than the attending physician and consulting physician associated with the determination that nutrition and hydration will not or no longer will provide comfort or alleviate pain in connection with the patient are prohibited from filing an application under this division and from joining or being joined as parties to a hearing conducted under this division, including joining by way of intervention.

(D) A valid consent given in accordance with this section supersedes any general consent to treatment form signed by or on behalf of the patient prior to, upon, or after the patient's admission to a health care facility to the extent there is a conflict between the consent and the form.

Section 2133.10 | Transfer of patients.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) An attending physician who, or a health care facility in which a qualified patient or other patient is confined that, is not willing or is not able to comply or allow compliance with a declaration of a qualified patient, with a consent given in accordance with section 2133.08 or 2133.09 of the Revised Code, with any probate court order issued pursuant to section 2133.05, 2133.08, or 2133.09 of the Revised Code, or with any other applicable provision of sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code shall not prevent or attempt to prevent, or unreasonably delay or attempt to unreasonably delay, the transfer of the qualified patient or other patient to the care of a physician who, or a health care facility that, is willing and able to so comply or allow compliance.

(B) If a declaration provides for the use or continuation of life-sustaining treatment should its declarant subsequently be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, if a consent decision of a priority individual or class of individuals under section 2133.08 of the Revised Code is to use or continue life-sustaining treatment in connection with a patient described in that section, or if a probate court issues a reevaluation order pursuant to section 2133.05 or 2133.08 of the Revised Code that is intended to result in the use or continuation of life-sustaining treatment in connection with a qualified patient or other patient, then the attending physician of the qualified patient or other patient who, or health care facility in which the qualified patient or other patient is confined that, is not willing or is not able to comply or allow compliance with the declaration, consent decision, or reevaluation order shall use or continue the life-sustaining treatment or cause it to be used or continued until a transfer as described in division (A) of this section is made.

Section 2133.11 | Immunities.

• Effective: July 22, 1998
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 66 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) Subject to division (D) of this section, an attending physician, consulting physician, health care facility, and health care personnel acting under the direction of an attending physician are not subject to criminal prosecution, are not liable in damages in a tort or other civil action, and are not subject to professional disciplinary action for any of the following:

(1) Giving effect to a declaration, if the physician, facility, or personnel gives effect to the declaration in good faith and does not have actual knowledge that the declaration has been revoked or does not substantially comply with this chapter;

(2) Giving effect to a consent under the circumstances described in section 2133.08 of the Revised Code, if the physician, facility, or personnel gives effect to the consent in good faith and does not have actual knowledge that the consent is invalid under that section and if a probate court has not issued an order reversing the consent pursuant to division (E) of that section;

(3) Giving effect to a consent under the circumstances described in section 2133.09 of the Revised Code, if the physician, facility, or personnel gives effect to the consent in good faith and does not have actual knowledge that the consent is invalid under that section and if the appropriate probate court has issued an order authorizing the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in connection with the patient in question;

(4) Refusing to or not being able to comply or allow compliance with a declaration of a qualified patient, with a consent given in accordance with section 2133.08 or 2133.09 of the Revised Code, with a probate court order issued pursuant to section 2133.05, 2133.08, or 2133.09 of the Revised Code, or with another applicable provision of this chapter, if the refusal or inability to comply or allow compliance is in good faith, provided that, in the case of an attending physician or health care facility, whichever of the following apply are satisfied:

(a) The attending physician or health care facility does not prevent or attempt to prevent, or unreasonably delay or attempt to unreasonably delay, the transfer of the qualified patient or other patient to the care of a physician who, or a health care facility that, is willing and able to so comply or allow compliance.

(b) If the declaration of the qualified patient provided for the use or continuation of life-sustaining treatment should the declarant subsequently be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state, if the consent decision of a priority individual or class of individuals under section 2133.08 of the Revised Code was to use or continue life-sustaining treatment in connection with the patient described in that section, or if the probate court issued a reevaluation order pursuant to section 2133.05 or 2133.08 of the Revised Code that was intended to result in the use or continuation of life-sustaining treatment in connection with the qualified patient or other patient, the attending physician or health care facility used or continued the life-sustaining treatment or caused it to be used or continued until a transfer as described in division (A)(4)(a) of this section was made.

(5) Making determinations other than those described in division (B) of this section, or otherwise acting under this chapter, if the determinations or other actions are made in good faith and in accordance with reasonable medical standards;

(6) Prescribing, dispensing, administering, or causing to be administered any particular medical procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure to a qualified patient or other patient, including, but not limited to, prescribing, personally furnishing, administering, or causing to be administered by judicious titration or in another manner any form of medication, for the purpose of diminishing the qualified patient's or other patient's pain or discomfort and not for the purpose of postponing or causing the qualified patient's or other patient's death, even though the medical procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure may appear to hasten or increase the risk of the patient's death, if the attending physician so prescribing, dispensing, administering, or causing to be administered or the health care personnel acting under the direction of the attending physician so dispensing, administering, or causing to be administered are carrying out in good faith the responsibility to provide comfort care described in division (E)(1) of section 2133.12 of the Revised Code.

(B) Subject to division (D) of this section, an attending or consulting physician is not subject to criminal prosecution, is not liable in damages in a tort or other civil action, and is not subject to professional disciplinary action if the physician makes any of the following determinations in good faith, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and in accordance with reasonable medical standards:

(1) A determination that a declarant or a patient as described in section 2133.08 of the Revised Code is in a terminal condition;

(2) A determination that a declarant is in a permanently unconscious state;

(3) A determination that a patient as described in section 2133.08 of the Revised Code currently is and for at least the immediately preceding twelve months has been in a permanently unconscious state;

(4) A determination that a declarant or a patient as described in section 2133.08 of the Revised Code no longer is able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment;

(5) A determination that there is no reasonable possibility that a declarant or a patient as described in section 2133.08 of the Revised Code will regain the capacity to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment;

(6) A determination that nutrition or hydration will not or no longer will provide comfort or alleviate pain in connection with a patient as described in section 2133.09 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) Subject to division (D) of this section, an individual who is authorized to give a consent to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment under division (B) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code and who makes the decision in good faith is not subject to criminal prosecution, is not liable in damages in a tort or other civil action, and is not subject to professional disciplinary action in connection with that decision.

(2) Subject to division (D) of this section, an individual who is authorized to give a consent to the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in connection with a patient under division (A)(4) of section 2133.09 of the Revised Code and who gives the consent in good faith is not subject to criminal prosecution, is not liable in damages in a tort or other civil action, and is not subject to professional disciplinary action in connection with that consent.

(D) This section does not grant an immunity from criminal or civil liability or from professional disciplinary action to health care personnel for actions that are outside the scope of their authority.

Section 2133.12 | Miscellaneous provisions.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 451 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The death of a qualified patient or other patient resulting from the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in accordance with sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code does not constitute for any purpose a suicide, aggravated murder, murder, or any other homicide offense.

(B)(1) The execution of a declaration shall not do either of the following:

(a) Affect the sale, procurement, issuance, or renewal of any policy of life insurance or annuity, notwithstanding any term of a policy or annuity to the contrary;

(b) Be deemed to modify or invalidate the terms of any policy of life insurance or annuity that is in effect on October 10, 1991.

(2) Notwithstanding any term of a policy of life insurance or annuity to the contrary, the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from an insured, qualified patient or other patient in accordance with sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code shall not impair or invalidate any policy of life insurance or annuity.

(3) Notwithstanding any term of a policy or plan to the contrary, the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment from an insured, qualified patient or other patient in accordance with sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code shall not impair or invalidate any policy of health insurance or any health care benefit plan.

(4) No physician, health care facility, other health care provider, person authorized to engage in the business of insurance in this state under Title XXXIX of the Revised Code, health insuring corporation, other health care plan, legal entity that is self-insured and provides benefits to its employees or members, or other person shall require any individual to execute or refrain from executing a declaration, or shall require an individual to revoke or refrain from revoking a declaration, as a condition of being insured or of receiving health care benefits or services.

(C)(1) Sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code do not create any presumption concerning the intention of an individual who has revoked or has not executed a declaration with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment if the individual should be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state at any time.

(2) Sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code do not affect the right of a qualified patient or other patient to make informed decisions regarding the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment as long as the qualified patient or other patient is able to make those decisions.

(3) Sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code do not require a physician, other health care personnel, or a health care facility to take action that is contrary to reasonable medical standards.

(4) Sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code and, if applicable, a declaration do not affect or limit the authority of a physician or a health care facility to provide or not to provide life-sustaining treatment to a person in accordance with reasonable medical standards applicable in an emergency situation.

(D) Nothing in sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code condones, authorizes, or approves of mercy killing, assisted suicide, or euthanasia.

(E)(1) Sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code do not affect the responsibility of the attending physician of a qualified patient or other patient, or other health care personnel acting under the direction of the patient's attending physician, to provide comfort care to the patient. Nothing in sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code precludes the attending physician of a qualified patient or other patient who carries out the responsibility to provide comfort care to the patient in good faith and while acting within the scope of the attending physician's authority from prescribing, dispensing, administering, or causing to be administered any particular medical procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure to the patient, including, but not limited to, prescribing, personally furnishing, administering, or causing to be administered by judicious titration or in another manner any form of medication, for the purpose of diminishing the qualified patient's or other patient's pain or discomfort and not for the purpose of postponing or causing the qualified patient's or other patient's death, even though the medical procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure may appear to hasten or increase the risk of the patient's death. Nothing in sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code precludes health care personnel acting under the direction of the patient's attending physician who carry out the responsibility to provide comfort care to the patient in good faith and while acting within the scope of their authority from dispensing, administering, or causing to be administered any particular medical procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure to the patient, including, but not limited to, personally furnishing, administering, or causing to be administered by judicious titration or in another manner any form of medication, for the purpose of diminishing the qualified patient's or other patient's pain or discomfort and not for the purpose of postponing or causing the qualified patient's or other patient's death, even though the medical procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure may appear to hasten or increase the risk of the patient's death.

(2)(a) If, at any time, a person described in division (A) (2)(a)(i) of section 2133.05 of the Revised Code or the individual or a majority of the individuals in either of the first two classes of individuals that pertain to a declarant in the descending order of priority set forth in division (A)(2)(a) (ii) of section 2133.05 of the Revised Code believes in good faith that both of the following circumstances apply, the person or the individual or majority of individuals in either of the first two classes of individuals may commence an action in the probate court of the county in which a declarant who is in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious state is located for the issuance of an order mandating the use or continuation of comfort care in connection with the declarant in a manner that is consistent with division (E)(1) of this section:

(i) Comfort care is not being used or continued in connection with the declarant.

(ii) The withholding or withdrawal of the comfort care is contrary to division (E)(1) of this section.

(b) If a declarant did not designate in the declarant's declaration a person as described in division (A)(2)(a)(i) of section 2133.05 of the Revised Code and if, at any time, a priority individual or any member of a priority class of individuals under division (A)(2)(a)(ii) of section 2133.05 of the Revised Code or, at any time, the individual or a majority of the individuals in the next class of individuals that pertains to the declarant in the descending order of priority set forth in that division believes in good faith that both of the following circumstances apply, the priority individual, the member of the priority class of individuals, or the individual or majority of individuals in the next class of individuals that pertains to the declarant may commence an action in the probate court of the county in which a declarant who is in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious state is located for the issuance of an order mandating the use or continuation of comfort care in connection with the declarant in a manner that is consistent with division (E)(1) of this section:

(i) Comfort care is not being used or continued in connection with the declarant.

(ii) The withholding or withdrawal of the comfort care is contrary to division (E)(1) of this section.

(c) If, at any time, a priority individual or any member of a priority class of individuals under division (B) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code or, at any time, the individual or a majority of the individuals in the next class of individuals that pertains to the patient in the descending order of priority set forth in that division believes in good faith that both of the following circumstances apply, the priority individual, the member of the priority class of individuals, or the individual or majority of individuals in the next class of individuals that pertains to the patient may commence an action in the probate court of the county in which a patient as described in division (A) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code is located for the issuance of an order mandating the use or continuation of comfort care in connection with the patient in a manner that is consistent with division (E)(1) of this section, unless the individual is not competent under division (C)(2) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code:

(i) Comfort care is not being used or continued in connection with the patient.

(ii) The withholding or withdrawal of the comfort care is contrary to division (E)(1) of this section.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 2133.13 | When health care provider may presume validity of declaration.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

In the absence of actual knowledge to the contrary and if acting in good faith, an attending or consulting physician, other health care personnel, and health care facilities may assume that a declaration complies with sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code and is valid.

Section 2133.14 | Recognition of declaration executed in another state.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

A declaration executed under the law of another state in compliance with that law or in substantial compliance with sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code shall be considered to be valid for purposes of sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code.

Section 2133.15 | Document executed prior to effective date of provisions.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) Sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code apply to any written document that was executed anywhere prior to October 10, 1991, that voluntarily was so executed by an adult who was of sound mind, that was signed by the adult or by another individual at the direction of the adult, that was or was not witnessed or acknowledged before a notary public as described in division (B) of section 2133.02 of the Revised Code, and that specifies the adult's intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment if the adult is at any time in a terminal condition, in a permanently unconscious state, or in either a terminal condition or a permanently unconscious state, if the adult is at that time no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of life-sustaining treatment, and if at that time there is no reasonable possibility that the adult will regain the capacity to make those informed decisions. The document shall be considered to be a declaration, shall be given effect as if it had been executed on or after October 10, 1991, in accordance with sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code, and, except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, shall be subject to all provisions of sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code pertaining to declarations.

(B)(1) If a declaration as described in division (A) of this section does not state that, or does not contain a checked or marked box or line adjacent to a statement indicating that, the declarant authorizes the declarant's attending physician to withhold or withdraw nutrition or hydration when the declarant is in a permanently unconscious state and when the declarant's attending physician and at least one other physician who has examined the declarant determine, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and in accordance with reasonable medical standards, that nutrition or hydration will not or no longer will serve to provide comfort to the declarant or alleviate the declarant's pain, then, if the declaration becomes operative under section 2133.03 of the Revised Code because the declarant is in a permanently unconscious state, the attending physician of the declarant shall apply to the probate court of the county in which the declarant is located for the issuance of an order whether or not the attending physician is required to provide the declarant with nutrition and hydration for as long as the declarant is in the permanently unconscious state. Upon the filing of the application, the clerk of the probate court shall schedule a hearing on it and cause a copy of it and a notice of the hearing to be served in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure upon the attending physician and the individuals described in divisions (B)(1) to (5) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code, which service shall be made, if possible, within three days after the filing of the application. The hearing shall be conducted at the earliest possible time, but no sooner than the thirtieth business day, and no later than the sixtieth business day, after that service has been completed.

(2) At the hearing, the attending physician and any individual described in divisions (B)(1) to (5) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code shall be permitted to testify and present evidence relative to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of nutrition and hydration for as long as the declarant is in the permanently unconscious state. Immediately following the hearing, the court shall enter on its journal its determination, based on the evidence presented by all of the parties at the hearing on the application and subject to division (B)(3) of this section, whether or not the attending physician is required to provide the declarant with nutrition and hydration for as long as the declarant is in the permanently unconscious state.

(3) The court shall issue an order that authorizes the declarant's attending physician to commence the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in connection with the declarant only if the applicant establishes, by clear and convincing evidence, that the order would be consistent with one of the following:

(a) The declarant's previously expressed intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of nutrition and hydration should the declarant subsequently be in a permanently unconscious state and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of nutrition and hydration;

(b) In the absence of a previously expressed intention of that nature, the type of informed consent decision that the declarant would have made if the declarant had expressed the declarant's intention with respect to the use or continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of nutrition and hydration should the declarant subsequently be in a permanently unconscious state and no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of nutrition and hydration, as inferred from the lifestyle and character of the declarant, and from any other evidence of the declarant's desires, prior to the declarant becoming no longer able to make informed decisions regarding the administration of nutrition and hydration. The Rules of Evidence shall not be binding for purposes of this division.

(4) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Revised Code or of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the state and persons other than individuals described in divisions (B)(1) to (5) of section 2133.08 of the Revised Code and other than the attending physician of the declarant are prohibited from filing an application under division (B) of this section and from joining or being joined as parties to a hearing conducted under division (B) of this section, including joining by way of intervention.

Section 2133.21 | DNR identification and do-not-resuscitate order law definitions.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

As used in sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(A) "Attending physician" means the physician to whom a person, or the family of a person, has assigned primary responsibility for the treatment or care of the person or, if the person or the person's family has not assigned that responsibility, the physician who has accepted that responsibility.

(B) "Declaration," "health care facility," "life-sustaining treatment," "physician," "professional disciplinary action," and "tort action" have the same meanings as in section 2133.01 of the Revised Code.

(C) "DNR identification" means a standardized identification card, form, necklace, or bracelet that is of uniform size and design, that has been approved by the department of health pursuant to section 2133.25 of the Revised Code, and that signifies either of the following:

(1) That the person who is named on and possesses the card, form, necklace, or bracelet has executed a declaration that authorizes the withholding or withdrawal of CPR and that has not been revoked pursuant to section 2133.04 of the Revised Code;

(2) That the attending physician of the person who is named on and possesses the card, form, necklace, or bracelet has issued a current do-not-resuscitate order, in accordance with the do-not-resuscitate protocol adopted by the department of health pursuant to section 2133.25 of the Revised Code, for that person and has documented the grounds for the order in that person's medical record.

(D) "Do-not-resuscitate order" means a directive issued by a physician that identifies a person and specifies that CPR should not be administered to the person so identified.

(E) "Do-not-resuscitate protocol" means the standardized method of procedure for the withholding of CPR by physicians, emergency medical service personnel, and health care facilities that is adopted in the rules of the department of health pursuant to section 2133.25 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Emergency medical services personnel" means paid or volunteer firefighters, law enforcement officers, first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, emergency medical technicians-paramedic, medical technicians, or other emergency services personnel acting within the ordinary course of their profession.

(G) "CPR" means cardiopulmonary resuscitation or a component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but it does not include clearing a person's airway for a purpose other than as a component of CPR.

Section 2133.211 | Authority and immunity of nurses and physician assistants.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 216 - 131st General Assembly

A person who holds a current, valid license issued under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse may take any action that may be taken by an attending physician under sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code and has the immunity provided by section 2133.22 of the Revised Code if the action is taken pursuant to a standard care arrangement with a collaborating physician.

A person who holds a license to practice as a physician assistant issued under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code may take any action that may be taken by an attending physician under sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code and has the immunity provided by section 2133.22 of the Revised Code if the action is taken pursuant to a supervision agreement entered into under section 4730.19 of the Revised Code, including, if applicable, the policies of a health care facility in which the physician assistant is practicing.

Section 2133.22 | Immunities.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

(A)(1) None of the following are subject to criminal prosecution, to liability in damages in a tort or other civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property, or to professional disciplinary action arising out of or relating to the withholding or withdrawal of CPR from a person after DNR identification is discovered in the person's possession and reasonable efforts have been made to determine that the person in possession of the DNR identification is the person named on the DNR identification:

(a) A physician who causes the withholding or withdrawal of CPR from the person possessing the DNR identification;

(b) A person who participates under the direction of or with the authorization of a physician in the withholding or withdrawal of CPR from the person possessing the DNR identification;

(c) Any emergency medical services personnel who cause or participate in the withholding or withdrawal of CPR from the person possessing the DNR identification.

(2) None of the following are subject to criminal prosecution, to liability in damages in a tort or other civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property, or to professional disciplinary action arising out of or relating to the withholding or withdrawal of CPR from a person in a health care facility after DNR identification is discovered in the person's possession and reasonable efforts have been made to determine that the person in possession of the DNR identification is the person named on the DNR identification or a do-not-resuscitate order is issued for the person:

(a) The health care facility or the administrator of the health care facility;

(b) A physician who causes the withholding or withdrawal of CPR from the person possessing the DNR identification or for whom the do-not-resuscitate order has been issued;

(c) Any person who works for the health care facility as an employee, contractor, or volunteer and who participates under the direction of or with the authorization of a physician in the withholding or withdrawal of CPR from the person possessing the DNR identification;

(d) Any person who works for the health care facility as an employee, contractor, or volunteer and who participates under the direction of or with the authorization of a physician in the withholding or withdrawal of CPR from the person for whom the do-not-resuscitate order has been issued.

(3) If, after DNR identification is discovered in the possession of a person, the person makes an oral or written request to receive CPR, any person who provides CPR pursuant to the request, any health care facility in which CPR is provided, and the administrator of any health care facility in which CPR is provided are not subject to criminal prosecution as a result of the provision of the CPR, are not liable in damages in a tort or other civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property that arises out of or is related to the provision of the CPR, and are not subject to professional disciplinary action as a result of the provision of the CPR.

(B) Divisions (A)(1), (A)(2), and (C) of this section do not apply when CPR is withheld or withdrawn from a person who possesses DNR identification or for whom a do-not-resuscitate order has been issued unless the withholding or withdrawal is in accordance with the do-not-resuscitate protocol.

(C) Any emergency medical services personnel who comply with a do-not-resuscitate order issued by a physician and any individuals who work for a health care facility as employees, contractors, or volunteers and who comply with a do-not-resuscitate order issued by a physician are not subject to liability in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property that arises out of or is related to compliance with the order, are not subject to criminal prosecution as a result of compliance with the order, and are not subject to professional disciplinary action as a result of compliance with the order.

In an emergency situation, emergency medical services personnel and emergency department personnel are not required to search a person to determine if the person possesses DNR identification. If a person possesses DNR identification, if emergency medical services personnel or emergency department personnel provide CPR to the person in an emergency situation, and if, at that time, the personnel do not know and do not have reasonable cause to believe that the person possesses DNR identification, the emergency medical services personnel and emergency department personnel are not subject to criminal prosecution as a result of the provision of the CPR, are not liable in damages in a tort or other civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property that arises out of or is related to the provision of the CPR, and are not subject to professional disciplinary action as a result of the provision of the CPR.

(D) Nothing in sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code or the do-not-resuscitate protocol grants immunity to a physician for issuing a do-not-resuscitate order that is contrary to reasonable medical standards or that the physician knows or has reason to know is contrary to the wishes of the patient or of a person who is lawfully authorized to make informed medical decisions on the patient's behalf.

Section 2133.23 | Compliance with DNR order.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) If emergency medical services personnel, other than physicians, are presented with DNR identification possessed by a person or are presented with a written do-not-resuscitate order for a person or if a physician directly issues to emergency medical services personnel, other than physicians, an oral do-not-resuscitate order for a person, the emergency medical services personnel shall comply with the do-not-resuscitate protocol for the person. If an oral do-not-resuscitate order is issued by a physician who is not present at the scene, the emergency medical services personnel shall verify the physician's identity.

(B) If a person possesses DNR identification and if the person's attending physician or the health care facility in which the person is located is unwilling or unable to comply with the do-not-resuscitate protocol for the person, the attending physician or the health care facility shall not prevent or attempt to prevent, or unreasonably delay or attempt to delay, the transfer of the person to a different physician who will follow the protocol or to a different health care facility in which the protocol will be followed.

(C) If a person who possesses DNR identification or for whom a current do-not-resuscitate order has been issued is being transferred from one health care facility to another, before or at the time of the transfer, the transferring health care facility shall notify the receiving health care facility and the persons transporting the person of the existence of the DNR identification or the order. If a current do-not-resuscitate order was issued orally, it shall be reduced to writing before the time of the transfer. The DNR identification or the order shall accompany the person to the receiving health care facility and shall remain in effect unless it is revoked or unless, in the case of a do-not-resuscitate order, the order no longer is current.

Section 2133.24 | Miscellaneous provisions.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) The death of a person resulting from the withholding or withdrawal of CPR for the person pursuant to the do-not-resuscitate protocol and in the circumstances described in section 2133.22 of the Revised Code or in accordance with division (A) of section 2133.23 of the Revised Code does not constitute for any purpose a suicide, aggravated murder, murder, or any other homicide.

(B)(1) If a person possesses DNR identification or if a current do-not-resuscitate order has been issued for a person, the possession or order shall not do either of the following:

(a) Affect in any manner the sale, procurement, issuance, or renewal of a policy of life insurance or annuity, notwithstanding any term of a policy or annuity to the contrary;

(b) Be deemed to modify in any manner or invalidate the terms of any policy of life insurance or annuity that is in effect on the effective date of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding any term of a policy of life insurance or annuity to the contrary, the withholding or withdrawal of CPR from a person who is insured or covered under the policy or annuity and who possesses DNR identification or for whom a current do-not-resuscitate order has been issued, in accordance with sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code, shall not impair or invalidate any policy of life insurance or annuity.

(3) Notwithstanding any term of a policy or plan to the contrary, neither of the following shall impair or invalidate any policy of health insurance or other health care benefit plan:

(a) The withholding or withdrawal in accordance with sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code of CPR from a person who is insured or covered under the policy or plan and who possesses DNR identification or for whom a current do-not-resuscitate order has been issued;

(b) The provision in accordance with sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code of CPR to a person of the nature described in division (B)(3)(a) of this section.

(4) No physician, health care facility, other health care provider, person authorized to engage in the business of insurance in this state under Title XXXIX of the Revised Code, health insuring corporation, other health care benefit plan, legal entity that is self-insured and provides benefits to its employees or members, or other person shall require an individual to possess DNR identification, or shall require an individual to revoke or refrain from possessing DNR identification, as a condition of being insured or of receiving health care benefits or services.

(C)(1) Sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code do not create any presumption concerning the intent of an individual who does not possess DNR identification with respect to the use, withholding, or withdrawal of CPR.

(2) Sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code do not affect the right of a person to make informed decisions regarding the use, withholding, or withdrawal of CPR for the person as long as the person is able to make those decisions.

(3) Sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code are in addition to and independent of, and do not limit, impair, or supersede, any right or responsibility that a person has to effect the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment to another pursuant to sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code or in any other lawful manner.

(D) Nothing in sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code condones, authorizes, or approves of mercy killing, assisted suicide, or euthanasia.

Section 2133.25 | Standardized method of procedure for the withholding of CPR by physicians, emergency medical services personnel, and health care facilities.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The department of health, by rule adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt a standardized method of procedure for the withholding of CPR by physicians, emergency medical services personnel, and health care facilities in accordance with sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code. The standardized method shall specify criteria for determining when a do-not-resuscitate order issued by a physician is current. The standardized method so adopted shall be the "do-not-resuscitate protocol" for purposes of sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code. The department also shall approve one or more standard forms of DNR identification to be used throughout this state.

(B) The department of health shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for the administration of sections 2133.21 to 2133.26 of the Revised Code.

(C) The department of health shall appoint an advisory committee to advise the department in the development of rules under this section. The advisory committee shall include, but shall not be limited to, representatives of each of the following organizations:

(1) The association for hospitals and health systems (OHA);

(2) The Ohio state medical association;

(3) The Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians;

(4) The Ohio hospice organization;

(5) The Ohio council for home care;

(6) The Ohio health care association;

(7) The Ohio ambulance association;

(8) The Ohio medical directors association;

(9) The Ohio association of emergency medical services;

(10) The bioethics network of Ohio;

(11) The Ohio nurses association;

(12) The Ohio academy of nursing homes;

(13) The Ohio association of professional firefighters;

(14) The department of developmental disabilities;

(15) The Ohio osteopathic association;

(16) The association of Ohio philanthropic homes, housing and services for the aging;

(17) The catholic conference of Ohio;

(18) The department of aging;

(19) The department of mental health and addiction services;

(20) The Ohio private residential association;

(21) The northern Ohio fire fighters association.

Last updated January 13, 2023 at 1:29 PM

Section 2133.26 | Prohibited acts.

• Effective: July 9, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 354 - 122nd General Assembly

(A)(1) No physician shall purposely prevent or attempt to prevent, or delay or unreasonably attempt to delay, the transfer of a patient in violation of division (B) of section 2133.23 of the Revised Code.

(2) No person shall purposely conceal, cancel, deface, or obliterate the DNR identification of another person without the consent of the other person.

(3) No person shall purposely falsify or forge a revocation of a declaration that is the basis of the DNR identification of another person or purposely falsify or forge an order of a physician that purports to supersede a do-not-resuscitate order issued for another person.

(4) No person shall purposely falsify or forge the DNR identification of another person with the intent to cause the use, withholding, or withdrawal of CPR for the other person.

(5) No person who has personal knowledge that another person has revoked a declaration that is the basis of the other person's DNR identification or personal knowledge that a physician has issued an order that supersedes a do-not-resuscitate order that the physician issued for another person shall purposely conceal or withhold that personal knowledge with the intent to cause the use, withholding, or withdrawal of CPR for the other person.

(B)(1) Whoever violates division (A)(1) or (5) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(2) Whoever violates division (A)(2), (3), or (4) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.