Wanted to share the good news that House Bill 24, creating the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care, was signed into law by Governor Perdue today.    The bill will go into effect July 1, 2007.

This bill combines the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care forms in more user friendly language and provides the opportunity to express additional treatment preferences.  The bill was drafted by a working group of individuals representing diverse perspectives from across the state who dedicated many hours from June 2006 through the 2007 legislative session to moving the bill forward.  Representative Steve Tumlin initiated the working group and I had the pleasure of co-chairing the group with Nick Djuric, Esq., who is with Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP and Chair, Legislation Committee of Georgia State Bar Fiduciary Law Section.

The bill’s text can be found at:

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb24.htm

Kathy Kinlaw
Executive Director, HCECG