§ 5488. Advisory committee.

(a) Establishment. -- Within 60 days of the effective date of this section, the department shall establish a committee to assist it in determining the advisability of using a standardized form containing orders by qualified physicians that detail the scope of medical treatment for patients' life-sustaining wishes.

(b) Membership. -- The committee shall include representatives from the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania, the Joint State Government Commission's Advisory Committee on Decedents' Estates Laws, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Department of Aging, the Department of Public Welfare and other interested persons at the department's discretion.

(c) Scope of review. -- The committee's review shall include, but not be limited to, examination of the following:

(1) The need to adopt this type of standardized form in view of the existing use of do-not-resuscitate orders.

(2) The use and evaluation of use of such forms in other states.

(3) Any other matters determined by the department to be relevant to its determination.