Florida Bill Would Protect Terri Schiavo, Others Like Her From Starvation.

Florida State Senator Stephen Wise (R-Jacksonville) has introduced S.B. 692, the Florida "Starvation and Dehydration of Persons with Disabilities Prevention Act." The bill would establish a presumption that those who cannot speak for themselves will be provided nutrition and hydration necessary to sustain their lives unless there is clear and convincing evidence that they gave express and informed consent to its refusal.

An earlier law designed to prevent Terri Schindler-Schiavo's starvation, which gave pro-life Governor Jeb Bush the ability to issue an order specifically to protect her, is being challenged in the Florida courts by her husband. Mr. Schiavo's attorneys claim that "Terri's law" unconstitutionally violates the separation of powers doctrine by specifically overturning a judicial decision in a particular case. Because the Wise bill would apply to all Florida residents incapable of making decisions for themselves, including but not limited to Terri Schindler-Schiavo, it would protect her even if the first "Terri's law" ...