Bernstine Introduces Legislation to Protect Parental Rights in Medical Decisions for Minor Children

February 27, 2025

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) has introduced legislation aimed at protecting the rights of parents and guardians in the medical decision-making process for their minor children. The bill, known as Simon’s Law, would require health care professionals or facilities to notify parents before placing a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order on any patient under the age of 18. The law would also require written or oral consent from at least one parent or guardian before a DNR order can be issued.

“This bill is designed to ensure no parent is kept in the dark when it comes to life-altering decisions for their children,” said Bernstine. “Simon’s story is one of profound heartbreak, and it serves as a reminder we must prioritize parental involvement in the decisions made about the lives of our children. No parent should have to experience what the Crosiers went through.”

The legislation is inspired by the case of Simon Crosier, born on Sept. 7, 2010, in St. Louis, Missouri, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 shortly after his birth. Simon passed away three months later from an apnea attack. During his final moments, his parents, Sheryl and Scott Crosier, watched as their son struggled to breathe, waiting for someone in the hospital to provide emergency relief. However, no help came.

It was later discovered a DNR order had been placed in Simon’s medical chart without the Crosiers' knowledge or consent. They also learned that Simon had been given “comfort feeds,” and when he cried, medical staff had administered sugar water to pacify him, potentially leaving him to starve if he hadn’t stopped breathing. The Crosiers were devastated by the realization that such decisions had been made without their input.

In light of this tragedy, Simon’s Law was modeled after Missouri’s House Bill 138, which passed unanimously in 2019 with a 146-0 vote. The bill requires health care professionals to make a reasonable attempt to obtain parental consent before placing a DNR order in a child’s medical chart. In addition to Missouri, three other states have enacted similar laws.

The legislation has been referred to the House Health Committee for further consideration.