Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB0159

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Power of Attorney Act. Provides that a psychologist may not witness the signing of a health care agency; removes that prohibition for mental health providers generally. Adds an option on the short form power of attorney for health care for a principal to select whether the agent can have access to the principal's medical records and information. Adds language directing the health care provider to consult the health care agent. Permits an agent to pursue applications for government benefits made during a principal's lifetime when no administrator or executor is acting on behalf of the principal's estate. Relocates provisions concerning successor agents to a different location in the form. Adds an option allowing the principal to nominate the agent as the guardian of the principal's person, should one become necessary. Provides that a physician may determine that the principal is unable to make health care decisions for himself or herself only if the principal lacks decisional capacity, as that term is defined in the Health Care Surrogate Act. Effective January 1, 2016.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Power of Attorney Act. Provides that a psychologist may not witness the signing of a health care agency; removes that prohibition for mental health providers generally. Adds an option on the short form power of attorney for health care for a principal to select whether the agent can have access to the principal's medical records and information. Permits an agent to pursue applications for government benefits made during a principal's lifetime when no administrator or executor is acting on behalf of the principal's estate. Relocates provisions concerning successor agents to a different location in the form. Adds an option allowing the principal to nominate the agent as the guardian of the principal's person, should one become necessary. Provides that a physician may determine that the principal is unable to make health care decisions for himself or herself only if the principal lacks decisional capacity, as that term is defined in the Health Care Surrogate Act. Provides that changes made by this amendatory Act do not invalidate any health care agency created before the effective date of this amendatory Act or affect any action taken or right accrued before the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective January 1, 2016.

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