CARSON CITY --Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman David Bobzien (D-Reno) to create a voluntary online registry for living wills in the Secretary of State's office has been approved by the Nevada Legislature and now goes to the Governor.

AB 158 would create a voluntary registry for families of patients and health care professionals for the storage and retrieval of living wills to help ensure that the wishes of patients are honored when it comes to end-of-life decisions. The registry would help alleviate problems caused when living wills are lost or cannot be retrieved quickly in times of medical emergency.

Bobzien said the legislation does not change the way living wills are implemented or defined and would not allow the Secretary of State to make any decisions about living wills.

"The purpose of this registry would be to ensure that families and health care providers know what the patient's wishes are in cases of serious illness or accidents," Bobzien said. "We are trying to avoid situations such as the tragic Terry Schiavo case."

The creation of the registry is supported by the Secretary of State, who would be authorized under the bill to seek grant funding for its operation.

"This registry could be considered an electronic lock box," said Secretary of State Ross Miller. "It would provide citizens a secure and accessible place to file important documents such as an advance directive.

"The Secretary of State's office manages the state's corporate filings and the statewide voter registration database, so we have the experience to maintain this type of registry," he said.