§16-19-4a Request for consent to an anatomical gift.
§16-19-4a. Request for consent to an anatomical gift.
(a) Where, based on accepted medical standards, a patient is a suitable candidate for organ or tissue donation, the person in charge of a hospital, or his or her designated representative other than a person connected with the determination of death, shall at the time of death request persons listed in this section for consent to an anatomical gift. In the order of priority stated and in the absence of actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent or actual notice of opposition by a member of the same or a prior class, any of the following persons may give all or any part of the decedent's body for any purpose specified in this article:
(a) The spouse;
(b) An adult son or daughter;
(c) Either parent;
(d) An adult brother or sister.
(e) A guardian of the person of the decedent at the time of his death.
Where the person in charge of a hospital or his or her designee has received actual notice of opposition from any of the persons named in this subsection or where there is otherwise reason to believe that an anatomical gift is contrary to the decedent's religious beliefs, such gift of all or any part of the decedent's body shall not be requested. Where a donation is requested, consent or refusal need only be obtained from the person or persons in the highest priority class available.
(b) Where a donation is requested, the person in charge of a hospital or his designated representative shall complete a certificate of request for an anatomical gift, on a form supplied by the hospital. Said certificate shall include a statement to the effect that a request for consent to an anatomical gift has been made, and shall further indicate thereupon whether or not consent was granted, the name of the person granting or refusing the consent, and his or her relationship to the decedent. Upon completion of the certificate, said person shall attach the certificate of request for an anatomical gift to the death certificate.
(c) A gift made pursuant to the request required by this section shall be executed pursuant to applicable provisions of article nineteen of this chapter.
(d) The director of health shall establish regulations concerning the training of hospital employees who may be designated to perform the request, and the procedures to be employed in making it.
(e) The director of health shall establish such additional regulations as are necessary for the implementation of this section.
(f) No hospital or person in charge of a hospital or his or her designated representatives shall be liable for damages for any action taken in good faith in the administering of the provisions of the article.