WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         S.B. 664

President of the Senate

State House

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed Senate Bill 664.

This bill would establish comprehensive procedures by which individuals may make
advance health care directives.

House Bill 1243, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May 11,
1993, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate
Bill 664.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

Senate Bill No. 664

AN ACT concerning

Health Care Decision Act

FOR the purpose of providing that certain individuals may make an advance directive
appointing a health care agent or authorizing the providing, withholding, or
withdrawing of health care, including life prolonging life-sustaining procedures;
providing that a directive may be written or oral; providing an optional form forms
for an advance directive and living will; providing for the revocation of an advance
directive; providing for surrogate decision makers in certain circumstances in the
absence of an advance directive; providing standards for health care agents and
surrogate decision makers; authorizing certain emergency medical services
personnel to follow certain "do not resuscitate" orders under certain circumstances;
providing for the transfer of patients among health care providers in certain
circumstances; authorizing treatment without consent under certain circumstances;
requiring a health care provider to petition a court or patient care advisory
committee under certain circumstances; providing immunity from liability for
certain actions; prohibiting certain actions by life insurers; providing certain expedited
proceedings under certain circumstances; providing certain civil and criminal
penalties; requiring a health care facility to provide certain information; providing
that certain provisions of law governing durable powers of attorney do not apply to
certain advance directives; establishing certain standards and procedures for certain
determinations by a court regarding life-sustaining procedures for a person under
guardianship; providing for the effect and construction of this Act; establishing
certain duties of health care providers under certain circumstances; defining certain
terms; and generally relating to health care decision making by a patient, or a
patient's agent or surrogate.

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