AnalysisCurrently under Texas law, a medical power of attorney document is not deemed to be valid unless it is signed in the presence of two competent adult witnesses. However, the current law fails to specify who is required to sign the power of attorney document. Further, the requirement limits the instances in which a signature can be deemed valid, despite the existence of verification measures such as notarization. SB 651 clarifies current law by stating that the principal must sign the document in the presence of two competent witnesses in order for the document to be valid. In addition, SB 651 recognizes the principal’s signature as valid if the signature is acknowledged before a Notary Public.