Withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures; legislative finding and declaration

65-28,101. Withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures; legislative finding and declaration. The legislature finds that adult persons have the fundamental right to control the decisions relating to the rendering of their own medical care, including the decision to have life-sustaining procedures withheld or withdrawn in instances of a terminal condition. In order that the rights of patients may be respected even after they are no longer able to participate actively in decisions about themselves, the legislature hereby declares that the laws of this state shall recognize the right of an adult person to make a written declaration instructing his or her physician to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures in the event of a terminal condition. History: L. 1979, ch. 199, § 1; July 1. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "Brain Death/Termination of Heroic Efforts to Save Life—Who Decides?," Martin R. Ufford, 19 W.L.J. 225 (1980). "Euthanasia: A Medical and Legal Overview," Howard N. Ward, 49 J.B.A.K. 317, 329 (1980). "The Kansas Natural Death Act," Amy Ottinger Walters, 19 W.L.J. 519 (1980). "Right To Die: Procedure for the Exercise of the Terminally Ill Incompetent Patient's Right To Refuse Treatment," Michael Barton Myers, 23 W.L.J. 719, 720 (1984). "You are invited to comment on the proposed Guardianship and Conservatorship Act," Christy Molzen, 70 J.K.B.A. No. 6, 33 (2001). "Overview of the New Guardianship and Conservatorship Act," Christy R. Molzen, 71 J.K.B.A. No. 7, 25 (2002). "Advanced Directives: What Direction Does Kansas Allow?" Emily A. Donaldson, 75 J.K.B.A. No. 3, 19 (2006). "[A Life] Lived Diligently," Katherine Lee McBride, 81 J.K.B.A. No. 1, 11 (2012). "The Mature Minor Doctrine: Can Minors Unilaterally Refuse Medical Treatment?" Michael Hayes, 66 K.L.R. 685, 690 (2018). CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Cited; 90 day limitation on life insurance accidental death double indemnity provision not contrary to public policy. Hawes v. Kansas Farm Bureau, 238 Kan. 404, 408, 413, 710 P.2d 1312 (1985). Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026