Section 5-614 - Effect of declaration; suicide; insurance; declarations executed prior to effective date.

§ 5-614. Effect of declaration; suicide; insurance; declarations executed prior to effective date.
 

(a)  Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining procedures not suicide.- The withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle shall not, for any purpose, constitute a suicide. 

(b)  Life insurance - Effect of declaration.-  

(1) The making of an advance directive under this subtitle does not affect the sale, procurement, or issuance of any policy of life insurance, nor shall it be deemed to modify the terms of an existing policy of life insurance. 

(2) A policy of life insurance shall not be legally impaired or invalidated by the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures from an insured patient in accordance with this subtitle, notwithstanding any term of the policy to the contrary. 

(c)  Life insurance - Condition prohibited.- A person may not be required to make an advance directive as a condition for being insured for, or receiving, health care services. 

(d)  Declaration prior to effective date.- Any declaration of a patient or any designation of an agent made prior to October 1, 1993 shall be given full force and effect as provided in this subtitle. 
 

[1993, ch. 372, § 2.]