The State Advisory Council on Serious Illness Care was created in December 2002 (Chapter 265, Acts of 2002 - Health-General Article §§13601 through 13-1604).
The Council studies the impact of State statutes, regulations, and public policies on the providing of care to the dying. The Council monitors trends in the provision of care to patients with fatal illnesses and participates in public and professional educational efforts concerning the care of the dying. The Council also advises the General Assembly, Office of Attorney General, Department of Aging, and the Department of Health on matters related to the provision of care at the end of life.
Upcoming Meetings
The next meeting will be held remotely via video conference on
July 14, 2025, from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
View agenda
Meeting Link: https:/meet.google.com/hen-adud-fzo
Phone: +1 484-854-1786
PIN: 466 310 301#
Future Meeting: October 13, 2025 – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Meeting details and agendas will be posted closer to the date.
Meeting Minutes Archive
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Resources
The State Advisory Council on Serious Illness Care, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, and the Department of Health established a website,
https:/www.marylandmolst.org, with educational materials regarding the MOLST form, as well as information on relevant statutes and text on the Health Care Decisions Act, which may be of use to you.
In addition, the Maryland Department of Health's Advance Care Directives webpage:
health.maryland.gov/advance-directives, has helpful information regarding advance directives; and educational materials for patients, providers, health care agents, and decision makers. You will also find a wallet card to inform health care providers of the existence of an advance directive,individual resources, provider resources, and other useful information relevant to care at the end of life."
Ethical Framework
The decision-making process that leads to excellent care should not be a lucky happenstance. Instead, its component steps should be identified, reflected in pertinent policies, and carried out routinely. To assist health care facilities with this important work, and after extensive consultation, the State Advisory Council on Serious Illness has issued an Ethical Framework for decision making entitled “Key Steps in Making and Implementing Health Care Decisions.” The
Ethical Framework, principally written by Dr. Steven Levenson and endorsed unanimously by the Council, identifies the steps for not only complying with the Health Care Decisions Act but also giving practical meaning to the ethical principles that underlie the Act. The Advisory Council and the Office of the Attorney General urge all health care facilities and programs to integrate the Ethical Framework (adapted as appropriate to the particular setting) into their staff training, policy documents, and routine clinical practice.
Reports and Correspondence Archive
The State Advisory Council on Quality Care at the End of Life and the Maryland Health Care Commission have issued a joint report on pediatric palliative care. The report, “Study of Health Care Services for Children with Life-Threatening Conditions,” discuses the needs of these children, the current situation in Maryland, projects on pediatric palliative care in other states, and policy options.
The Council has commented on an informed consent document, used by an out-patient endoscopy center, that addressed the facility's refusal to honor advance directives. The Council's letter is available here, and the center's praiseworthy response is here.
The Council issued a report on the potential creation of a Maryland advance directive registry. The report is available here.
Professor Gloria Ramsey, of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, created an excellent presentation on end-of-life care issues affecting racially and ethnically diverse populations. Professor Ramsey's slides are in two parts; part 1 is here, and part 2 here.
Reports