Dignified Death Act

S.B. 1102 of 1996
P.A. 594 of 1996
MCL 333.5651-5661, MCL 333.16221
Sponsor: Sen. Dale Shugars

Effective Date: January 22, 1997

The Michigan Dignified Death Act establishes statutory provisions that define the means for a truly dignified death. Secured by this statute will be the right of patients to refuse burdensome or futile treatment, allowing them a death free of excessive medical treatment. In addition, the bill offers physicians and other healthcare workers legal protection when acting in accord with a patient's desire to have a dignified death. Patients will be given the additional protection of law against an individual who, through fraud or coercion, attempts to convince a patient to reject legitimate life-prolonging medical care. The bill has been called by some the "Terminally Ill Patient's Bill of Rights."