AUGUSTA – The Maine House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation Thursday that would simplify the process surrounding do-not-resuscitate orders.

The bill, which has been championed by Arthur Boivin of Rumford, awaits only the signature of Gov. John Baldacci before becoming law.

Boivin became an advocate for the bill after the death of his wife, Lyanne, last spring.

The legislation changes the rules that emergency medical personnel must follow when they encounter a do-not-resuscitate order. It simplifies the form into a single sheet and drops the requirement that a doctor write the order, while ensuring informed consent for the decision to refuse potentially lifesaving treatments. It also directs that the form be widely available, including in a downloadable format from the Internet.

The legislation also requires the director of Maine Emergency Medical Services to report back to the committee in January 2007 after consulting with interested parties as part of a working group on the changes in the law and to recommend other changes.

– David Farmer