SB548: Bill Text

SB548,3,16 (b) Any member of the council appointed under par. (a) 1. who meets the required qualifications for more than one category of appointees under par. (a) 1. a. to h. may be appointed to serve as a member fulfilling the requirements for a council member in some or all of those categories, as determined by the secretary of health services.

SB548,3,17 (c) The council shall meet at least twice each year.

SB548,3,22 (d) When possible, the council shall seek and the secretary shall appoint members who represent the various geographic areas of the state. The council shall, as often as possible, hold its meetings in different geographic areas of the state, both rural and urban, to better learn about and aid in palliative care access and quality in all communities.

SB548,2 Section 2 . 15.197 (22m) of the statutes, as created by 2017 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed.

SB548,3 Section 3. 146.695 of the statutes is created to read:

SB548,4,1 146.695 Palliative care. (1) In this section:

SB548,4,2 (a) “Council” means the palliative care council.

SB548,4,3 (b) “Palliative care” has the meaning given in s. 50.90 (3).

SB548,4,5 (2) The council shall consult with and advise the department on all of the following:

SB548,4,8 (a) Matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation, and outcome evaluation of the palliative care consumer and professional information and education program established under this section.

SB548,4,11 (b) Understanding and evaluating the impact palliative care has on families and the experiences of families that have used or had a family member use palliative care services.

SB548,4,15 (c) Establishing a system to identify patients or residents who could benefit from palliative care and determining how to provide information about and facilitate access to appropriate palliative care services for patients or residents with serious illnesses.

SB548,4,17 (d) Any other issues relating to palliative care that arise through council meetings or other discussions, as determined appropriate by the council.

SB548,4,22 (3) The department, in consultation with the council, shall establish a statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program to ensure that comprehensive and accurate information and education about palliative care are available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities.

SB548,4,25 (4) The department shall make available electronically on its Internet site information and resources regarding palliative care, including all of the following items:

SB548,5,1 (a) Links to external resources regarding palliative care.

SB548,5,2 (b) Continuing education opportunities for health care providers.

SB548,5,4 (c) Information about palliative care delivery in the home, primary, secondary, and tertiary environments.

SB548,5,6 (d) Consumer educational materials regarding palliative care, including hospice care.

SB548,5,9 (5) Beginning January 1, 2019, and biennially thereafter, the council shall submit a report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature providing the council's analysis on the following issues:

SB548,5,11 (a) The availability of palliative care in this state for patients in the early stages of serious disease.

SB548,5,12 (b) Barriers to greater access to palliative care.

SB548,5,14 (c) The policies, practices, and protocols in this state concerning patients' rights related to palliative care, including all of the following:

SB548,5,16 1. Whether a palliative care team member may introduce palliative care options to a patient without the consent of the patient's attending physician.

SB548,5,18 2. The practices and protocols for discussions between a palliative care team member and a patient on life-sustaining treatment or advance directives decisions.

SB548,5,20 3. The practices and protocols on informed consent and disclosure requirements for palliative care services.

SB548,5,22 (d) The impact of palliative care on families that have experience with palliative care services.

SB548,5,24 (e) Any other issues relating to palliative care that arise through council meetings or other discussions, as determined by the council.

SB548,6,2 (6) Nothing in this section may be construed to create a cause of action or create a standard of care, obligation, or duty that provides a basis for a cause of action.

SB548,4 Section 4. 146.695 (1) (intro.) and (b) of the statutes, as created by 2017 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), are consolidated, renumbered 146.695 (1) and amended to read:

SB548,6,7 146.695 (1) In this section: (b) “Palliative, “palliative care” has the meaning given in s. 50.90 (3).

SB548,5 Section 5. 146.695 (1) (a), (2), (3) and (5) of the statutes, as created by 2017 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), are repealed.

SB548,6 Section 6 . Nonstatutory provisions.

SB548,6,16 (1) Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the length of terms specified for the members of the palliative care council under section 15.197 (22m) (a) 1. of the statutes, of the members appointed by the secretary of health services for 4-year terms, no more than one-half of the initial members shall be appointed for terms expiring on July 1, 2020, and the remaining initial members shall be appointed for terms expiring on July 1, 2021.

SB548,7 Section 7. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:

SB548,6,21 (1) The consolidation, renumbering, and amendment of section 146.695 (1) (intro.) and (b) of the statutes and the repeal of sections 15.197 (22m) and 146.695 (1) (a), (2), (3), and (5) of the statutes take effect on July 1, 2028.

SB548,6,22 (End)