MICHIGAN DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE PROCEDURE ACT
Act 193 of 1996
AN ACT to provide for the execution of a do-not-resuscitate order for an individual in a setting outside of a hospital; to provide that certain actions be taken and certain actions not be taken with respect to a do-not-resuscitate order; to provide for the revocation of a do-not-resuscitate order; to prohibit certain persons and organizations from requiring the execution of a do-not-resuscitate order as a condition of receiving coverage, benefits, or services; to prohibit certain actions by certain insurers; to provide immunity from liability for certain persons; and to prescribe penalties and provide remedies.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

333.1051 Short title.

Sec. 1.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Michigan do-not-resuscitate procedure act".

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996

333.1052 Definitions.

Sec. 2.

As used in this act:

(a) "Actual notice" includes the physical presentation of an order, a revocation of an order, or another written document authorized under this act from or on behalf of a declarant.

(b) "Advanced illness" means a medical or surgical condition with significant functional impairment that is not reversible by curative therapies and that is anticipated to progress toward death despite attempts at curative therapies or modulation.

(d) "Declarant" means an individual who has executed a do-not-resuscitate order on his or her own behalf or on whose behalf a do-not-resuscitate order has been executed as provided in this act.

(e) "Delegatee" means an individual to whom a physician has delegated the authority to perform 1 or more selected acts, tasks, or functions under section 16215 of the public health code, MCL 333.16215.

(f) "Do-not-resuscitate identification bracelet" or "identification bracelet" means a wrist bracelet that meets the requirements of section 7 and that is worn by a declarant while a do-not-resuscitate order is in effect.

(g) "Do-not-resuscitate order" or "order" means a document executed under this act directing that, if an individual suffers cessation of both spontaneous respiration and circulation in a setting outside of a hospital, resuscitation will not be initiated.

(h) "Emergency medical technician" means that term as defined in section 20904 of the public health code, MCL 333.20904.

(i) "Emergency medical technician specialist" means that term as defined in section 20904 of the public health code, MCL 333.20904.

(j) "Guardian" means that term as defined in section 1104 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.1104.

(k) "Hospital" means that term as defined in section 20106 of the public health code, MCL 333.20106.

(l) "Medical first responder" means that term as defined in section 20906 of the public health code, MCL 333.20906.

(m) "Minor child" means an individual who is less than 18 years of age, has been diagnosed by an attending physician as having an advanced illness, and is not emancipated by operation of law as provided in section 4 of 1968 PA 293, MCL 722.4.

(n) "Nurse" means an individual who is licensed or otherwise authorized to engage in the practice of nursing or practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse under part 172 of the public health code, MCL 333.17201 to 333.17242.

(o) "Organization" means a company, corporation, firm, partnership, association, trust, or other business entity or a governmental agency.

(p) "Paramedic" means that term as defined in section 20908 of the public health code, MCL 333.20908.

(q) "Parent" means the natural or adoptive parent of a minor child who possesses legal decision-making authority as to the important decisions affecting the welfare of the minor child.

(r) "Patient advocate" means an individual who is designated to make medical treatment decisions for a patient under sections 5506 to 5515 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5506 to 700.5515.

(s) "Physician" means an individual who is licensed or otherwise authorized to engage in the practice of medicine or the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery under article 15 of the public health code, MCL 333.16101 to 333.18838.

(t) "Physician's assistant" means an individual who is licensed as a physician's assistant under part 170 or part 175 of the public health code, MCL 333.17001 to 333.17097 and 333.17501 to 333.17556.

(u) "Public health code" means the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211.

(v) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (w), "resuscitate" means perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation or a component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(i) Cardiac compression.

(ii) Endotracheal intubation or other advanced airway management.

(iii) Artificial ventilation.

(iv) Defibrillation.

(v) The administration of a cardiac resuscitation medication.

(vi) Another related procedure.

(w) "Resuscitate" does not include the Heimlich maneuver or a similar procedure used to expel an obstruction from an individual's throat.

(x) "School" means a nonpublic school or a public school as those terms are defined in section 5 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.5.

(y) "Vital sign" means a pulse or evidence of respiration.

(z) "Ward" means that term as defined in section 1108 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.1108.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 59, Eff. Apr. 1, 2000 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 552, Imd. Eff. Jan. 3, 2005 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 157, Eff. Feb. 6, 2018 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 363, Eff. Apr. 4, 2021

333.1053 Execution of order; authorized persons; form; printed or typed names; signatures; witness; identification bracelet; possession; access.

Sec. 3.

(1) Subject to section 5, an individual who is 18 years of age or older and of sound mind may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on his or her own behalf. A patient advocate of an individual who is 18 years of age or older may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of that individual.

(2) An order executed under this section shall be on a form described in section 4. The order shall be dated and executed voluntarily and signed by each of the following persons:

(a) The declarant, the declarant's patient advocate, or another person who, at the time of the signing, is in the presence of the declarant and acting pursuant to the directions of the declarant.

(b) The declarant's attending physician.

(c) Two witnesses 18 years of age or older, at least 1 of whom is not the declarant's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or presumptive heir.

(3) The names of all signatories shall be printed or typed below the corresponding signatures. A witness shall not sign an order unless the declarant or the declarant's patient advocate appears to the witness to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence.

(4) At any time after an order is signed and witnessed, the declarant, the declarant's patient advocate, or an individual designated by the declarant may apply an identification bracelet to the declarant's wrist.

(5) A declarant or patient advocate who executes an order under this section shall maintain possession of the order and shall have the order accessible within the declarant's place of residence or other setting outside of a hospital.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014

333.1053a Execution of order by guardian on behalf of ward; form; signatures; printed or typed names; witness; identification bracelet; possession; access.

Sec. 3a.

(1) A guardian with the power to execute a do-not-resuscitate order under section 5314 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5314, may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of a ward who is not a minor child after complying with section 5314 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5314. A guardian of a ward who is a minor child may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of the ward.

(2) An order executed under this section must be on a form described in section 4. The order must be dated, executed voluntarily, and signed by each of the following individuals:

(a) The guardian.

(b) The ward's attending physician.

(c) Two witnesses 18 years of age or older, each of whom is not the ward's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or presumptive heir.

(3) The names of all signatories must be printed or typed below the corresponding signatures. A witness shall not sign an order unless the guardian appears to the witness to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence.

(4) At any time after an order is signed and witnessed, the guardian, the attending physician or his or her delegatee, or an individual designated by the guardian may apply an identification bracelet to the ward's wrist.

(5) A guardian who executes an order under this section shall do all of the following:

(a) Maintain possession of the order.

(b) Have the order accessible within the ward's place of residence or other setting outside of a hospital.

(i) The administrator of the ward's school or to the administrator's designee.

(ii) The administrator of a facility in which the ward is a patient or resident or to the administrator's designee.

History: Add. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 363, Eff. Apr. 4, 2021

333.1053b Execution of order by parent on behalf of minor child; form; signatures; witness; identification bracelet; possession; access.

Sec. 3b.

(1) A parent may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of his or her minor child. If the parent shares with another parent legal decision-making authority as to the important decisions affecting the welfare of the minor child, both parents of the minor child must execute the order.

(2) An order executed under this section must be on a form described in section 4. The order must be dated, executed voluntarily, and signed by each of the following individuals:

(a) The parent or, if required under subsection (1), both parents of the minor child.

(b) The minor child's attending physician.

(c) Two witnesses 18 years of age or older, each of whom is not the minor child's parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or presumptive heir.

(3) The names of all signatories must be printed or typed below the corresponding signatures. A witness shall not sign an order unless the parent appears or, if required under subsection (1), both parents of the minor child appear, to the witness to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence.

(4) At any time after an order is signed and witnessed, the parent, the attending physician or his or her delegatee, or an individual designated by the parent may apply an identification bracelet to the minor child's wrist.

(5) A parent who executes an order under this section shall do all of the following:

(a) Maintain possession of the order.

(b) Have the order accessible within the minor child's place of residence or other setting outside of a hospital.

(i) The administrator of the minor child's school or to the administrator's designee.

(ii) The administrator of a facility in which the minor child is a patient or resident or to the administrator's designee.

History: Add. 2020, Act 363, Eff. Apr. 4, 2021

333.1054 Execution of order; form; language.

Sec. 4.

A do-not-resuscitate order executed under section 3, 3a, or 3b must include, but is not limited to, the following language, and must be in substantially the following form:

"DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDER
This do-not-resuscitate order is issued by _______________________________________, attending physician for _________________________________________.
(Type or print declarant's, ward's, or minor child's name)
Use the appropriate consent section below:
A. DECLARANT CONSENT
I have discussed my health status with my physician named above. I request that in the event my heart and breathing should stop, no person shall attempt to resuscitate me. This order will remain in effect until it is revoked as provided by law. Being of sound mind, I voluntarily execute this order, and I understand its full import.
_______________________________________	_______________
(Declarant's signature)	(Date)
_______________________________________	_______________
(Signature of person who signed for declarant, if applicable)	(Date)
_______________________________________
(Type or print full name)
B. PATIENT ADVOCATE CONSENT
I authorize that in the event the declarant's heart and breathing should stop, no person shall attempt to resuscitate the declarant. I understand the full import of this order and assume responsibility for its execution. This order will remain in effect until it is revoked as provided by law.
_______________________________________	_______________
(Patient advocate's signature)	(Date)
_______________________________________
(Type or print patient advocate's name)
C. PARENT CONSENT
I authorize that in the event the minor child's heart and breathing should stop, no person shall attempt to resuscitate the minor child. I understand the full import of this order and assume responsibility for its execution. This order will remain in effect until it is revoked as provided by law.
_______________________________________	_______________
(Parent's signature)	(Date)
_______________________________________
(Type or print parent's name)
_______________________________________	_______________
(Parent's signature)	(Date)
_______________________________________
(Type or print parent's name)
D. GUARDIAN CONSENT
I authorize that in the event the ward's heart and breathing should stop, no person shall attempt to resuscitate the ward. I understand the full import of this order and assume responsibility for its execution. This order will remain in effect until it is revoked as provided by law.
_______________________________________	_______________
(Guardian's signature)	(Date)
_______________________________________
(Type or print guardian's name)
_______________________________________	_______________
(Physician's signature)	(Date)
_______________________________________
(Type or print physician's full name)
ATTESTATION OF WITNESSES
The individual who has executed this order appears to be of
sound mind, and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence.
Upon executing this order, the declarant has (has not)received
an identification bracelet.
________________________________	________________________________
(Witness signature)	(Date)	(Witness signature)	(Date)
________________________________	________________________________
(Type or print witness's name)	(Type or print witness's name)
THIS FORM WAS PREPARED PURSUANT TO, AND IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH, THE MICHIGAN DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE PROCEDURE ACT.".

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 363, Eff. Apr. 4, 2021

333.1055 Persons depending on spiritual means through prayer for healing; execution of order; form; signatures; printed or typed names; witness; identification bracelet; possession; access.

Sec. 5.

(1) An individual who is 18 years of age or older, of sound mind, and an adherent of a church or religious denomination whose members depend upon spiritual means through prayer alone for healing may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on his or her own behalf. A patient advocate of an individual who is 18 years of age or older and an adherent of a church or religious denomination whose members depend upon spiritual means through prayer alone for healing may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of that individual.

(2) An order executed under this section shall be on a form described in section 6. The order shall be dated and executed voluntarily and signed by each of the following persons:

(a) The declarant, the declarant's patient advocate, or another person who, at the time of the signing, is in the presence of the declarant and acting pursuant to the directions of the declarant.

(b) Two witnesses 18 years of age or older, at least 1 of whom is not the declarant's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or presumptive heir.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014

333.1056 Execution of order under MCL 333.1055; form.

Sec. 6.

A do-not-resuscitate order executed for an adherent of a church or religious denomination under section 5 shall include, but is not limited to, the following language, and shall be in substantially the following form:

"DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDER
Use the appropriate consent section below:
A. DECLARANT CONSENT
I request that in the event my heart and breathing should stop, no person shall attempt to resuscitate me.
This order will remain in effect until it is revoked as provided by law.
Being of sound mind, I voluntarily execute this order, and I understand its full import.
_______________________________________		_______________
(Declarant's signature)		(Date)
_______________________________________
(Type or print declarant's full name)
_______________________________________		_______________
(Signature of person who signed for declarant, if applicable)		(Date)
_______________________________________
(Type or print full name)
B. PATIENT ADVOCATE CONSENT
I authorize that in the event the declarant's heart and breathing should stop, no person shall attempt to resuscitate the declarant. I understand the full import of this order and assume responsibility for its execution. This order will remain in effect until it is revoked as provided by law.
_______________________________________		_______________
(Patient advocate's signature)		(Date)
_______________________________________
(Type or print patient advocate's name)
ATTESTATION OF WITNESSES
The individual who has executed this order appears to be of sound mind, and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence. Upon executing this order, the declarant has (has not) received an identification bracelet.
______________________________		______________________________
(Witness signature) (Date)		(Witness signature) (Date)
______________________________		______________________________
(Type or print witness's name)		(Type or print witness's name)
THIS FORM WAS PREPARED PURSUANT TO, AND IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH, THE MICHIGAN DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE PROCEDURE ACT.".

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014

333.1057 Identification bracelet.

Sec. 7.

(1) A do-not-resuscitate identification bracelet shall possess features that make it clearly recognizable as a do-not-resuscitate identification bracelet including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a) The identification bracelet shall be imprinted with the words "DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDER", the name and address of the declarant, and the name and telephone number of the declarant's attending physician, if any.

(b) The words required under subdivision (a) shall be printed in a type size and style that is as easily read as practicable, given the size of the identification bracelet.

(2) An individual shall not apply a do-not-resuscitate identification bracelet to another individual unless he or she knows that the other individual is a declarant. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996

333.1058 Copy of order as permanent medical record.

Sec. 8.

An attending physician who signs a declarant's do-not-resuscitate order under section 3, 3a, or 3b shall immediately obtain a copy or a duplicate of the executed order and make that copy or duplicate part of the declarant's permanent medical record.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 363, Eff. Apr. 4, 2021

333.1059 Petition for review of order.

Sec. 9.

If a person interested in the welfare of the declarant has reason to believe that an order has been executed contrary to the wishes of the declarant or, if the declarant is a ward including a ward who is a minor child, contrary to the wishes or best interests of the ward, the person may petition the probate court to have the order and the conditions of its execution reviewed. If the probate court finds that an order has been executed contrary to the wishes of the declarant or, if the declarant is a ward including a ward who is a minor child, contrary to the wishes or best interests of the ward, the probate court shall issue an injunction voiding the effectiveness of the order and prohibiting compliance with the order.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 363, Eff. Apr. 4, 2021

333.1060 Revocation of order.

Sec. 10.

(1) A declarant may revoke an order executed by himself or herself or executed on his or her behalf at any time and in any manner by which he or she is able to communicate his or her intent to revoke the order. If the declarant's revocation is not in writing, an individual who observes the declarant's revocation of the order shall describe the circumstances of the revocation in writing, sign the writing, and deliver the writing to the declarant's attending physician or his or her delegatee and, if the declarant is a patient or resident of a facility or a pupil of a school, to the administrator of the facility or school or the administrator's designee. A patient advocate, parent, or guardian may revoke an order on behalf of a declarant at any time by issuing the revocation in writing and provide actual notice of the revocation by delivering the written revocation to the declarant's attending physician or his or her delegatee and, if the declarant is a patient or resident of a facility or a pupil of a school, to the administrator of the facility or school or the administrator's designee. Upon revocation, the declarant, patient advocate, parent, guardian, or attending physician or his or her delegatee who has actual notice of a revocation of an order under this section shall do all of the following:

(a) Write "void" on all pages of the order.

(b) If applicable, remove the declarant's do-not-resuscitate identification bracelet.

(2) A physician or his or her delegatee who receives actual notice of a revocation of an order shall immediately make the revocation, including, if available, the written description of the circumstances of the revocation required by subsection (1), part of the declarant's permanent medical record. The administrator of a facility or his or her designee who receives actual notice of a revocation of an order of a declarant who is a patient or resident of the facility shall immediately make the revocation part of the patient's or resident's permanent medical record. The administrator of a school or his or her designee who receives actual notice of a revocation of an order of a declarant who is a pupil of the school shall immediately place the revocation in the file created under section 1180(1)(a) of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1180.

(3) A revocation of an order under this section is binding upon another person at the time that other person receives actual notice of the revocation.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 363, Eff. Apr. 4, 2021

333.1061 Determination by health professional.

Sec. 11.

(1) One or more of the following health professionals who arrive at a declarant's location outside of a hospital shall determine if the declarant has 1 or more vital signs, whether or not the health professional views or has actual notice of an order that is alleged to have been executed by the declarant or other person authorized to execute an order on the declarant's behalf:

(a) A paramedic.

(b) An emergency medical technician.

(d) A physician.

(e) A nurse.

(f) A medical first responder.

(g) A respiratory therapist.

(h) A physician's assistant.

(2) If the health professional determines under subsection (1) that the declarant has no vital signs, and if the health professional determines that the declarant is wearing a do-not-resuscitate identification bracelet or has actual notice of a do-not-resuscitate order for the declarant, subject to section 11a, the health professional shall not attempt to resuscitate the declarant.

(3) If the declarant is a minor child who is enrolled and located at a school, an individual who determines that the declarant is wearing a do-not-resuscitate identification bracelet or has actual notice of a do-not-resuscitate order for the declarant shall not attempt to resuscitate the declarant before a health professional described in subsection (1) arrives at the declarant's location.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 157, Eff. Feb. 6, 2018 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 363, Eff. Apr. 4, 2021

333.1061a Compliance with most recent order or form; "POST form" defined.

Sec. 11a.

(1) If a health professional described in section 11 has actual notice of a do-not-resuscitate order and is aware of the existence of a validly executed POST form under part 56B of the public health code, MCL 333.5671 to 333.5685, that contains a medical order regarding the initiation of resuscitation if the individual suffers cessation of both spontaneous respiration and circulation, the health professional shall comply with the most recent order or form.

(2) As used in this section, "POST form" means that term as defined in section 5674 of the public health code, MCL 333.5674.

History: Add. 2017, Act 157, Eff. Feb. 6, 2018

333.1062 Immunity from civil or criminal liability.

Sec. 12.

A person or organization is not subject to civil or criminal liability for withholding resuscitative procedures from a declarant in accordance with this act.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996

333.1063 Immunity from civil or criminal liability; conditions.

Sec. 13.

A person or organization is not subject to civil or criminal liability for either of the following:

(a) Attempting to resuscitate an individual who has executed a do-not-resuscitate order or on whose behalf an order has been executed, if the person or organization has no actual notice of the order.

(b) Failing to resuscitate an individual who has revoked a do-not-resuscitate order or on whose behalf a do-not-resuscitate order has been revoked, if the person or organization does not receive actual notice of the revocation.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996

333.1064 Requirement to execute order prohibited.

Sec. 14.

A person or organization shall not require the execution of an order as a condition for insurance coverage, admittance to a health care facility, receiving health care benefits or services, or any other reason.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 155, Eff. Feb. 4, 2014

333.1065 Life insurer; prohibited acts.

Sec. 15.

A life insurer shall not do any of the following because of the execution or implementation of an order:

(a) Refuse to provide or continue coverage to the declarant.

(b) Charge the declarant a higher premium.

(d) Consider the terms of an existing policy of life insurance to have been breached or modified.

(e) Invoke a suicide or intentional death exemption or exclusion in a policy covering the declarant.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996

333.1066 Legal rights not impaired or superseded; presumptions.

Sec. 16.

(1) The provisions of this act are cumulative and do not impair or supersede a legal right that an individual may have to consent to or refuse medical treatment for himself or herself or that a parent, guardian, or other individual may have to consent to or refuse medical treatment on behalf of another.

(2) This act does not create a presumption concerning the intent of a person executing an order to consent to or refuse medical treatment in circumstances other than the cessation of both spontaneous circulation and respiration.

(3) This act does not create a presumption concerning the intent of an individual who has not executed an order to consent to or refuse any type of medical treatment.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996

333.1067 Effective date.

Sec. 17.

This act shall take effect August 1, 1996.

History: 1996, Act 193, Eff. Aug. 1, 1996

Rendered 8/15/2025 5:51 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov