06 LC 33
1386
Senate
Resolution 1067
By:
Senator Schaefer of the 50th
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Study Committee on the Prevention of the Starvation and Dehydration
of Persons with Disabilities; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
tragic situations occur where a family member or members are called upon to make
a critical decision for a loved one concerning whether to continue or
discontinue life-sustaining nutrition or hydration or both for the loved one;
and
WHEREAS,
the law provides for the utilization of an advance directive for an individual
to provide guidance and requirements prior to their incapacity as to the wishes
of the individual relating to life-sustaining measures; and
WHEREAS,
many people have not or do not wish to execute such advance directives, and
therefore their next of kin is required to make such a decision;
and
WHEREAS,
in making decisions concerning whether to continue or discontinue
life-sustaining nutrition or hydration or both for an incapacitated individual,
if there are no advance directives or indications made by the individual prior
to their incapacity, the next of kin should generally favor decisions which will
sustain the life of the individual; and
WHEREAS,
it would be beneficial to assess current state and federal law to determine
whether these situations can be mitigated and to determine whether any
legislation should be recommended.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study
Committee on the Prevention of the Starvation and Dehydration of Persons with
Disabilities to be composed of three members of the Senate to be appointed by
the Senate Committee on Assignments. The Senate Committee on Assignments shall
designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee. The
chairperson shall call all meetings of the
committee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the issues discussed above and other related matters and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than three days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2006. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2006.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the issues discussed above and other related matters and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than three days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2006. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2006.