SANTA FE – Senate Bill 233, sponsored by Senator Gregg Schmedes (R-Tijeras), today cleared the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee with bipartisan support. The legislation, known as “Simon’s Law,” would prevent health care officials from instituting “do not resuscitate” (DNR) orders on a child without a parent’s or guardian’s knowledge.
“I want to applaud my colleagues for supporting this important bill,” said Senator Schmedes. “This legislation was introduced at the request of families whose children were given a DNR order without any parental knowledge or consent. The decision to withhold life sustaining treatment from a child should never be made solely by a doctor and this bill will ensure that the rights and wishes of parents and guardians are respected.”
Simon’s Law is named after Simon Crosier, an infant with trisomy 18, who was given a DNR order without his parent’s knowledge.
Senate Bill 233 will now be referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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