AB 1135

This bill adds do-not-resuscitate necklaces or pendants that meet certain

requirements to the types of standardized do-not-resuscitate jewelry that a person

may wear to signify that the person is a qualified patient who has obtained a

do-not-resuscitate order from a physician and that the order has not been revoked.

Under current law, the only type of do-not-resuscitate jewelry allowed for qualifying

patients is a do-not-resuscitate bracelet meeting certain criteria.

The bill also requires the Department of Health Services to establish rules for

a uniform standard for the size, color, and design of all do-not-resuscitate necklaces

and pendants, but as under current law for do-not-resuscitate bracelets, DHS may

also approve a do-not-resuscitate necklace or pendant developed and distributed by

a commercial vendor if certain requirements are met.

Current law provides that any person who willfully conceals, defaces, or

damages the do-not-resuscitate bracelet of another person without that person's

consent may be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days,

or both. Current law also provides that any person that falsifies, forges, or transfers

a do-not-resuscitate bracelet to a patient with intent to cause the withholding or

withdrawal of resuscitation contrary to the wishes of that patient is guilty of a Class

F felony. The bill establishes these same penalties with respect to

do-not-resuscitate necklaces or pendants.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report.