New Oregon Law Bars Hospitals From Requiring Advance Directives For People With Disabilities Prior To Admission

On July 7, 2020, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 1606, to clarify that hospitals cannot require a person with disabilities to have an advance directive, which describes their treatment wishes should they become incapacitated, prior to admission during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The new law went into effect the same day. It was enacted after consumers complained that some hospitals told or suggested to guardians and family members of a person seeking admission for symptoms of severe infection with COVID-19 that the person could not be admitted without having an advance directive . . .