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Public Act 102-0181
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| HB0679 Enrolled | LRB102 12655 LNS 17994 b |
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AN ACT concerning civil law.
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Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
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represented in the General Assembly:
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Section 5. The Illinois Power of Attorney Act is amended |
by changing Sections 4-6 and 4-10 as follows:
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(755 ILCS 45/4-6) (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 804-6)
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Sec. 4-6. Revocation and amendment of health care |
agencies.
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(a) Unless the principal elects a delayed revocation |
period pursuant to subsection (a-5), every Every health care |
agency may be revoked by the principal at any
time, without |
regard to the principal's mental or physical condition, by
any |
of the following methods:
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1. By being obliterated, burnt, torn or otherwise |
destroyed or defaced
in a manner indicating intention to |
revoke;
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2. By a written revocation of the agency signed and |
dated by the
principal or person acting at the direction |
of the principal, regardless of whether the written |
revocation is in an electronic or hard copy format;
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3. By an oral or any other expression of the intent to |
revoke the agency
in the presence of a witness 18 years of |
age or older who signs and dates a
writing confirming that |
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such expression of intent was made; or
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4. For an electronic health care agency, by deleting |
in a manner indicating the intention to revoke. An |
electronic health care agency may be revoked |
electronically using a generic, technology-neutral system |
in which each user is assigned a unique identifier that is |
securely maintained and in a manner that meets the |
regulatory requirements for a digital or electronic |
signature. Compliance with the standards defined in the |
Electronic Commerce Security Act or the implementing rules |
of the Hospital Licensing Act for medical record entry |
authentication for author validation of the documentation, |
content accuracy, and completeness meets this standard. |
(a-5) A principal may elect a 30-day delay of the |
revocation of the principal's health care agency. If a |
principal makes this election, the principal's revocation |
shall be delayed for 30 days after the principal communicates |
his or her intent to revoke. |
(b) Every health care agency may be amended at any time by |
a written
amendment signed and dated by the principal or |
person acting at the
direction of the principal.
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(c) Any person, other than the agent, to whom a revocation |
or amendment is
communicated or delivered shall make all |
reasonable efforts to inform the
agent of that fact as |
promptly as possible.
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(Source: P.A. 101-163, eff. 1-1-20.)
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(755 ILCS 45/4-10) (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 804-10)
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Sec. 4-10. Statutory short form power of attorney for |
health care.
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(a) The form prescribed in this Section (sometimes also |
referred to in this Act as the
"statutory health care power") |
may be used to grant an agent powers with
respect to the |
principal's own health care; but the statutory health care
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power is not intended to be exclusive nor to cover delegation |
of a parent's
power to control the health care of a minor |
child, and no provision of this
Article shall be construed to |
invalidate or bar use by the principal of any
other or
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different form of power of attorney for health care. |
Nonstatutory health
care powers must be
executed by the |
principal, designate the agent and the agent's powers, and
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comply with the limitations in Section 4-5 of this Article, |
but they need not be witnessed or
conform in any other respect |
to the statutory health care power. |
No specific format is required for the statutory health |
care power of attorney other than the notice must precede the |
form. The statutory health care power may be included in or
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combined with any
other form of power of attorney governing |
property or other matters.
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The signature and execution requirements set forth in this |
Article are satisfied by: (i) written signatures or initials; |
or (ii) electronic signatures or computer-generated signature |
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codes. Electronic documents under this Act may be created, |
signed, or revoked electronically using a generic, |
technology-neutral system in which each user is assigned a |
unique identifier that is securely maintained and in a manner |
that meets the regulatory requirements for a digital or |
electronic signature. Compliance with the standards defined in |
the Electronic Commerce Security Act or the implementing rules |
of the Hospital Licensing Act for medical record entry |
authentication for author validation of the documentation, |
content accuracy, and completeness meets this standard. |
(b) The Illinois Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney |
for Health Care shall be substantially as follows:
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NOTICE TO THE INDIVIDUAL SIGNING |
THE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE |
No one can predict when a serious illness or accident |
might occur. When it does, you may need someone else to speak |
or make health care decisions for you. If you plan now, you can |
increase the chances that the medical treatment you get will |
be the treatment you want. |
In Illinois, you can choose someone to be your "health |
care agent". Your agent is the person you trust to make health |
care decisions for you if you are unable or do not want to make |
them yourself. These decisions should be based on your |
personal values and wishes. |
It is important to put your choice of agent in writing. The |
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written form is often called an "advance directive". You may |
use this form or another form, as long as it meets the legal |
requirements of Illinois. There are many written and on-line |
resources to guide you and your loved ones in having a |
conversation about these issues. You may find it helpful to |
look at these resources while thinking about and discussing |
your advance directive.
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WHAT ARE THE THINGS I WANT MY |
HEALTH CARE AGENT TO KNOW? |
The selection of your agent should be considered |
carefully, as your agent will have the ultimate |
decision-making authority once this document goes into effect, |
in most instances after you are no longer able to make your own |
decisions. While the goal is for your agent to make decisions |
in keeping with your preferences and in the majority of |
circumstances that is what happens, please know that the law |
does allow your agent to make decisions to direct or refuse |
health care interventions or withdraw treatment. Your agent |
will need to think about conversations you have had, your |
personality, and how you handled important health care issues |
in the past. Therefore, it is important to talk with your agent |
and your family about such things as: |
(i) What is most important to you in your life? |
(ii) How important is it to you to avoid pain and |
suffering? |
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(iii) If you had to choose, is it more important to you |
to live as long as possible, or to avoid prolonged |
suffering or disability? |
(iv) Would you rather be at home or in a hospital for |
the last days or weeks of your life? |
(v) Do you have religious, spiritual, or cultural |
beliefs that you want your agent and others to consider? |
(vi) Do you wish to make a significant contribution to |
medical science after your death through organ or whole |
body donation? |
(vii) Do you have an existing advance directive, such |
as a living will, that contains your specific wishes about |
health care that is only delaying your death? If you have |
another advance directive, make sure to discuss with your |
agent the directive and the treatment decisions contained |
within that outline your preferences. Make sure that your |
agent agrees to honor the wishes expressed in your advance |
directive.
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WHAT KIND OF DECISIONS CAN MY AGENT MAKE? |
If there is ever a period of time when your physician |
determines that you cannot make your own health care |
decisions, or if you do not want to make your own decisions, |
some of the decisions your agent could make are to: |
(i) talk with physicians and other health care |
providers about your condition. |
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(ii) see medical records and approve who else can see |
them. |
(iii) give permission for medical tests, medicines, |
surgery, or other treatments. |
(iv) choose where you receive care and which |
physicians and others provide it. |
(v) decide to accept, withdraw, or decline treatments |
designed to keep you alive if you are near death or not |
likely to recover. You may choose to include guidelines |
and/or restrictions to your agent's authority. |
(vi) agree or decline to donate your organs or your |
whole body if you have not already made this decision |
yourself. This could include donation for transplant, |
research, and/or education. You should let your agent know |
whether you are registered as a donor in the First Person |
Consent registry maintained by the Illinois Secretary of |
State or whether you have agreed to donate your whole body |
for medical research and/or education. |
(vii) decide what to do with your remains after you |
have died, if you have not already made plans. |
(viii) talk with your other loved ones to help come to |
a decision (but your designated agent will have the final |
say over your other loved ones). |
Your agent is not automatically responsible for your |
health care expenses.
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WHOM SHOULD I CHOOSE TO BE MY HEALTH CARE AGENT? |
You can pick a family member, but you do not have to. Your |
agent will have the responsibility to make medical treatment |
decisions, even if other people close to you might urge a |
different decision. The selection of your agent should be done |
carefully, as he or she will have ultimate decision-making |
authority for your treatment decisions once you are no longer |
able to voice your preferences. Choose a family member, |
friend, or other person who: |
(i) is at least 18 years old; |
(ii) knows you well; |
(iii) you trust to do what is best for you and is |
willing to carry out your wishes, even if he or she may not |
agree with your wishes; |
(iv) would be comfortable talking with and questioning |
your physicians and other health care providers; |
(v) would not be too upset to carry out your wishes if |
you became very sick; and |
(vi) can be there for you when you need it and is |
willing to accept this important role.
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WHAT IF MY AGENT IS NOT AVAILABLE OR IS |
UNWILLING TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR ME? |
If the person who is your first choice is unable to carry |
out this role, then the second agent you chose will make the |
decisions; if your second agent is not available, then the |
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third agent you chose will make the decisions. The second and |
third agents are called your successor agents and they |
function as back-up agents to your first choice agent and may |
act only one at a time and in the order you list them.
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WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT |
CHOOSE A HEALTH CARE AGENT? |
If you become unable to make your own health care |
decisions and have not named an agent in writing, your |
physician and other health care providers will ask a family |
member, friend, or guardian to make decisions for you. In |
Illinois, a law directs which of these individuals will be |
consulted. In that law, each of these individuals is called a |
"surrogate". |
There are reasons why you may want to name an agent rather |
than rely on a surrogate: |
(i) The person or people listed by this law may not be |
who you would want to make decisions for you. |
(ii) Some family members or friends might not be able |
or willing to make decisions as you would want them to. |
(iii) Family members and friends may disagree with one |
another about the best decisions. |
(iv) Under some circumstances, a surrogate may not be |
able to make the same kinds of decisions that an agent can |
make.
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WHAT IF THERE IS NO ONE AVAILABLE |
WHOM I TRUST TO BE MY AGENT? |
In this situation, it is especially important to talk to |
your physician and other health care providers and create |
written guidance about what you want or do not want, in case |
you are ever critically ill and cannot express your own |
wishes. You can complete a living will. You can also write your |
wishes down and/or discuss them with your physician or other |
health care provider and ask him or her to write it down in |
your chart. You might also want to use written or on-line |
resources to guide you through this process.
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WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS FORM ONCE I COMPLETE IT? |
Follow these instructions after you have completed the |
form: |
(i) Sign the form in front of a witness. See the form |
for a list of who can and cannot witness it. |
(ii) Ask the witness to sign it, too. |
(iii) There is no need to have the form notarized. |
(iv) Give a copy to your agent and to each of your |
successor agents. |
(v) Give another copy to your physician. |
(vi) Take a copy with you when you go to the hospital. |
(vii) Show it to your family and friends and others |
who care for you.
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WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND? |
You may change your mind at any time. If you do, tell |
someone who is at least 18 years old that you have changed your |
mind, and/or destroy your document and any copies. If you |
wish, fill out a new form and make sure everyone you gave the |
old form to has a copy of the new one, including, but not |
limited to, your agents and your physicians. If you are |
concerned you may revoke your power of attorney at a time when |
you may need it the most, you may initial the box at the end of |
the form to indicate that you would like a 30-day waiting |
period after you voice your intent to revoke your power of |
attorney. This means if your agent is making decisions for you |
during that time, your agent can continue to make decisions on |
your behalf. This election is purely optional, and you do not |
have to choose it. If you do not choose this option, you can |
change your mind and revoke the power of attorney at any time.
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WHAT IF I DO NOT WANT TO USE THIS FORM? |
In the event you do not want to use the Illinois statutory |
form provided here, any document you complete must be executed |
by you, designate an agent who is over 18 years of age and not |
prohibited from serving as your agent, and state the agent's |
powers, but it need not be witnessed or conform in any other |
respect to the statutory health care power. |
If you have questions about the use of any form, you may |
want to consult your physician, other health care provider, |
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and/or an attorney.
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MY POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE
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THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY REVOKES ALL PREVIOUS POWERS OF ATTORNEY |
FOR HEALTH CARE. (You must sign this form and a witness must |
also sign it before it is valid)
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My name (Print your full name):.......... |
My address:..................................................
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I WANT THE FOLLOWING PERSON TO BE MY HEALTH CARE AGENT |
(an agent is your personal representative under state and |
federal law): |
(Agent name)................. |
(Agent address)............. |
(Agent phone number).........................................
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(Please check box if applicable) .... If a guardian of my |
person is to be appointed, I nominate the agent acting under |
this power of attorney as guardian.
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SUCCESSOR HEALTH CARE AGENT(S) (optional): |
If the agent I selected is unable or does not want to make |
health care decisions for me, then I request the person(s) I |
name below to be my successor health care agent(s). Only one |
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person at a time can serve as my agent (add another page if you |
want to add more successor agent names): |
..................... |
(Successor agent #1 name, address and phone number) |
.......... |
(Successor agent #2 name, address and phone number)
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MY AGENT CAN MAKE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS FOR ME, INCLUDING: |
(i) Deciding to accept, withdraw or decline treatment |
for any physical or mental condition of mine, including |
life-and-death decisions. |
(ii) Agreeing to admit me to or discharge me from any |
hospital, home, or other institution, including a mental |
health facility. |
(iii) Having complete access to my medical and mental |
health records, and sharing them with others as needed, |
including after I die. |
(iv) Carrying out the plans I have already made, or, |
if I have not done so, making decisions about my body or |
remains, including organ, tissue or whole body donation, |
autopsy, cremation, and burial. |
The above grant of power is intended to be as broad as |
possible so that my agent will have the authority to make any |
decision I could make to obtain or terminate any type of health |
care, including withdrawal of nutrition and hydration and |
other life-sustaining measures.
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I AUTHORIZE MY AGENT TO (please check any one box): |
.... Make decisions for me only when I cannot make them for |
myself. The physician(s) taking care of me will determine |
when I lack this ability. |
(If no box is checked, then the box above shall be |
implemented.)
OR |
.... Make decisions for me only when I cannot make them for |
myself. The physician(s) taking care of me will determine |
when I lack this ability. Starting now, for the purpose of |
assisting me with my health care plans and decisions, my |
agent shall have complete access to my medical and mental |
health records, the authority to share them with others as |
needed, and the complete ability to communicate with my |
personal physician(s) and other health care providers, |
including the ability to require an opinion of my |
physician as to whether I lack the ability to make |
decisions for myself. OR |
.... Make decisions for me starting now and continuing |
after I am no longer able to make them for myself. While I |
am still able to make my own decisions, I can still do so |
if I want to.
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The subject of life-sustaining treatment is of particular |
importance. Life-sustaining treatments may include tube |
feedings or fluids through a tube, breathing machines, and |
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CPR. In general, in making decisions concerning |
life-sustaining treatment, your agent is instructed to |
consider the relief of suffering, the quality as well as the |
possible extension of your life, and your previously expressed |
wishes. Your agent will weigh the burdens versus benefits of |
proposed treatments in making decisions on your behalf. |
Additional statements concerning the withholding or |
removal of life-sustaining treatment are described below. |
These can serve as a guide for your agent when making decisions |
for you. Ask your physician or health care provider if you have |
any questions about these statements.
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SELECT ONLY ONE STATEMENT BELOW THAT BEST EXPRESSES YOUR |
WISHES (optional): |
.... The quality of my life is more important than the |
length of my life. If I am unconscious and my attending |
physician believes, in accordance with reasonable medical |
standards, that I will not wake up or recover my ability to |
think, communicate with my family and friends, and |
experience my surroundings, I do not want treatments to |
prolong my life or delay my death, but I do want treatment |
or care to make me comfortable and to relieve me of pain. |
.... Staying alive is more important to me, no matter how |
sick I am, how much I am suffering, the cost of the |
procedures, or how unlikely my chances for recovery are. I |
want my life to be prolonged to the greatest extent |
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possible in accordance with reasonable medical standards.
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SPECIFIC LIMITATIONS TO MY AGENT'S DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY: |
The above grant of power is intended to be as broad as |
possible so that your agent will have the authority to make any |
decision you could make to obtain or terminate any type of |
health care. If you wish to limit the scope of your agent's |
powers or prescribe special rules or limit the power to |
authorize autopsy or dispose of remains, you may do so |
specifically in this form. |
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..............................
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My signature:.................. |
Today's date:................................................
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DELAYED REVOCATION |
.... I elect to delay revocation of this power of attorney |
for 30 days after I communicate my intent to revoke it. |
.... I elect for the revocation of this power of attorney |
to take effect immediately if I communicate my intent to |
revoke it.
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HAVE YOUR WITNESS AGREE TO WHAT IS WRITTEN BELOW, AND THEN |
COMPLETE THE SIGNATURE PORTION: |
I am at least 18 years old. (check one of the options |
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below): |
.... I saw the principal sign this document, or |
.... the principal told me that the signature or mark on |
the principal signature line is his or hers. |
I am not the agent or successor agent(s) named in this |
document. I am not related to the principal, the agent, or the |
successor agent(s) by blood, marriage, or adoption. I am not |
the principal's physician, advanced practice registered nurse, |
dentist, podiatric physician, optometrist, psychologist, or a |
relative of one of those individuals. I am not an owner or |
operator (or the relative of an owner or operator) of the |
health care facility where the principal is a patient or |
resident. |
Witness printed name:............ |
Witness address:.............. |
Witness signature:............... |
Today's date:................................................
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(c) The statutory short form power of attorney for health |
care (the
"statutory health care power") authorizes the agent |
to make any and all
health care decisions on behalf of the |
principal which the principal could
make if present and under |
no disability, subject to any limitations on the
granted |
powers that appear on the face of the form, to be exercised in |
such
manner as the agent deems consistent with the intent and |
desires of the
principal. The agent will be under no duty to |
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exercise granted powers or
to assume control of or |
responsibility for the principal's health care;
but when |
granted powers are exercised, the agent will be required to |
use
due care to act for the benefit of the principal in |
accordance with the
terms of the statutory health care power |
and will be liable
for negligent exercise. The agent may act in |
person or through others
reasonably employed by the agent for |
that purpose
but may not delegate authority to make health |
care decisions. The agent
may sign and deliver all |
instruments, negotiate and enter into all
agreements and do |
all other acts reasonably necessary to implement the
exercise |
of the powers granted to the agent. Without limiting the
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generality of the foregoing, the statutory health care power |
shall include
the following powers, subject to any limitations |
appearing on the face of the form:
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(1) The agent is authorized to give consent to and |
authorize or refuse,
or to withhold or withdraw consent |
to, any and all types of medical care,
treatment or |
procedures relating to the physical or mental health of |
the
principal, including any medication program, surgical |
procedures,
life-sustaining treatment or provision of food |
and fluids for the principal.
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(2) The agent is authorized to admit the principal to |
or discharge the
principal from any and all types of |
hospitals, institutions, homes,
residential or nursing |
facilities, treatment centers and other health care
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institutions providing personal care or treatment for any |
type of physical
or mental condition. The agent shall have |
the same right to visit the
principal in the hospital or |
other institution as is granted to a spouse or
adult child |
of the principal, any rule of the institution to the |
contrary
notwithstanding.
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(3) The agent is authorized to contract for any and |
all types of health
care services and facilities in the |
name of and on behalf of the principal
and to bind the |
principal to pay for all such services and facilities,
and |
to have and exercise those powers over the principal's |
property as are
authorized under the statutory property |
power, to the extent the agent
deems necessary to pay |
health care costs; and
the agent shall not be personally |
liable for any services or care contracted
for on behalf |
of the principal.
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(4) At the principal's expense and subject to |
reasonable rules of the
health care provider to prevent |
disruption of the principal's health care,
the agent shall |
have the same right the principal has to examine and copy
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and consent to disclosure of all the principal's medical |
records that the agent deems
relevant to the exercise of |
the agent's powers, whether the records
relate to mental |
health or any other medical condition and whether they are |
in
the possession of or maintained by any physician, |
psychiatrist,
psychologist, therapist, hospital, nursing |
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home or other health care
provider. The authority under |
this paragraph (4) applies to any information governed by |
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of |
1996 ("HIPAA") and regulations thereunder. The agent |
serves as the principal's personal representative, as that |
term is defined under HIPAA and regulations thereunder.
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(5) The agent is authorized: to direct that an autopsy |
be made pursuant
to Section 2 of the Autopsy Act;
to make a |
disposition of any
part or all of the principal's body |
pursuant to the Illinois Anatomical Gift
Act, as now or |
hereafter amended; and to direct the disposition of the
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principal's remains. |
(6) At any time during which there is no executor or |
administrator appointed for the principal's estate, the |
agent is authorized to continue to pursue an application |
or appeal for government benefits if those benefits were |
applied for during the life of the principal.
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(d) A physician may determine that the principal is unable |
to make health care decisions for himself or herself only if |
the principal lacks decisional capacity, as that term is |
defined in Section 10 of the Health Care Surrogate Act. |
(e) If the principal names the agent as a guardian on the |
statutory short form, and if a court decides that the |
appointment of a guardian will serve the principal's best |
interests and welfare, the court shall appoint the agent to |
serve without bond or security. |