Democrats Vote to Kill Simon's Law, a Bill to Require Parental Permission for Do Not Resuscitate Orders
Democrats Deal a Blow to Parental Rights: Simon's Law, a crucial bill spearheaded by Delegate Phillip Scott, aimed at securing parental permission for Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNR).
Richmond VA, 1/30/24 - In a controversial vote, Democrats on the Health and Human Services committee voted against the advancement of Simon's Law, a critical piece of legislation aimed at ensuring parental consent for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders. The bill, named after the late Simon Crosier, has been a focal point of bipartisan efforts in various states to protect the rights of parents in end-of-life decisions concerning their children.
Simon's Law seeks to address concerns raised by parents who have faced the devastating reality of having Do Not Resuscitate Orders placed on their children without their knowledge or consent. The legislation, which had gained widespread support, aimed to establish a legal framework requiring healthcare providers to obtain explicit parental permission before implementing DNR Orders for minors.
Delegate Phillip Scott, the patron of Simon's Law and a parent who understands the challenges faced by families dealing with Edwards syndrome, expressed his disappointment at the bill's setback. He remarked, "As a father of a child with Edward's syndrome, I intimately understand the complexities and emotional toll that families endure. Simon's Law was not just about legislation; it was about compassion, empathy, and recognizing the fundamental right of parents to be involved in critical decisions for their children. The defeat of Simon's Law is disheartening, but our commitment to protecting parental rights remains unwavering. We will continue to advocate for families who deserve a voice in the most challenging moments of their lives."
However, despite the emotional testimonies of parents who have been directly affected by the lack of parental involvement in such decisions, Democrats in Virginia (Delegate Sickles, Delegate Tran, Delegate Hope, Delegate Price, Delegate Hayes, Delegate Willett, Delegate Herring, Delegate Shin, Delegate Cole, Delegate Srinivasan, Delegate Henson, and Delegate Gardner) voted against moving Simon's Law forward. Critics argue that the decision raises questions about the party's commitment to parental fundamental rights concerning the medical care of their children and the importance of family input in healthcare decisions.
Simon's Law advocates vow to continue their fight for parental rights.
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