California End of Life Option Act: Agency Policy, Notice, and Staff Conduct
Records the governing body’s choice, under the California End of Life Option Act (Cal. Health & Safety Code §443 et seq.), either to allow staff to participate in medical aid in dying within the law or to prohibit participation while staff act within the course and scope of their employment or contract (§443.15(a)); requires the written notice to staff upon employment or affiliation and every year, and posting of the current policy on the Agency’s website (§443.15(b), (i)); and sets the conduct rules every staff member follows in either case: never coerce, never mislead, give information and referrals on request, document requests, and respect the patient’s choice.
- Policy number
- CA-HH-PR-05
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- Cal. Health & Safety Code §443.15
- Library
- California home health · 58 policies
- Category
- Client rights
- Sections
- 19
In short
- Know the Agency’s position on medical aid in dying. You receive it in writing when hired and every year.
- If a patient asks about it, listen without judging and tell the nurse supervisor the same day.
- Never pressure a patient for or against it, and never give false information.
- Only the patient can ask, and only their own doctor directly. You cannot make the request for them.
- Never give the drug, help the patient swallow it, or sign as a witness. Aides never handle it.
- Keep giving all the care in the plan, including comfort care.
What's inside
19 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (Cal. Health & Safety Code §443.15)
- 5. The Governing Body’s Decision
- 6. Notice and Website Posting
- 7. Conduct Rules for Every Staff Member
- 8. When a Patient Asks
- 9. Personal Conscience
- 10. After Self-Administration and Death
- 11. Enforcement
- 12. Responsibilities
- 13. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 14. Staff Training
- 15. References
- 16. Related Policies and Forms
- 17. Approval
- 18. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- What is your Agency’s policy on medical aid in dying, and where is it posted on your website?
- Show me that this nurse received written notice of the policy when hired and again this year.
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