In 1999, Texas passed a bill which was signed by then Governor GW Bush that, in effect, set up a procedure that allowed hospitals to discontinue life support measure for terminally ill patients without the consent of the parents or guardians.

The Texas Advance Directives Act (1999), also known as the Texas Futile Care Law, describes certain provisions that are now Chapter 166 of the Texas Health & Safety Code. Controversy over these provisions mainly centers on Section 166.046, Subsection (e),[1] which allows a health care facility to discontinue life-sustaining treatment against the wishes of the patient or guardian ten days after giving written notice if the continuation of life-sustaining treatment is considered medically inappropriate by the treating medical team.