Criminal penalty

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  1. (a) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly:

    1. (1) Conceal, cancel, deface, obliterate, or damage a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form without the consent of the patient or the legal representative of the patient;

    2. (2)

      1. (A) Cause an individual to execute a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form by undue influence, fraud, or duress.

      2. (B) As used in this section, “undue influence” includes without limitation:

        1. (i) Charging a different rate or fee for insurance coverage or healthcare services based upon whether the individual consents to a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form or has executed a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form;

        2. (ii) Requiring a healthcare provider to have an internal policy to offer a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form to any individual;

        3. (iii) Providing any financial incentive, payment, discount, or rating incentive for having an internal policy or procedure relating to the completion of a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form as applied to a healthcare provider or healthcare facility; or

        4. (iv) Imposing a rating or reimbursement penalty if a healthcare provider or healthcare facility fails to achieve a target for physician order for life-sustaining treatment form completions; or

    3. (3) Falsify or forge a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form of another person that results in a direct change of health care provided to the patient.

  2. (b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class D felony.

  3. (c) This section does not prevent payment to a healthcare provider or healthcare facility for consultation with or counseling of a patient concerning a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form or for offering advance directive healthcare planning.


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