2021 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE
Subtitle 2: HEALTH
Part 6: BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS
Chapter 710-B: REVISED UNIFORM ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT
22 §2947. Refusal to make anatomical gift and effect of refusal

§2947. Refusal to make anatomical gift and effect of refusal

1.  Refusal of individual.  An individual may refuse to make an anatomical gift of the individual's body or part by:  

A. A record signed by:  

(1) The individual; or  

(2) Subject to subsection 2, another individual acting at the direction of the individual if the individual is physically unable to sign;   [PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

B. The individual's will whether or not the will is admitted to probate or invalidated after the individual's death; or   [PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

C. Any form of communication made by the individual during the individual's terminal illness or injury addressed to at least 2 other individuals who are at least 18 years of age, one of whom is a disinterested witness.   [PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

[PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

2.  Individual acting at direction of individual.  A record signed pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (2) must:  

A. Be witnessed by at least 2 other individuals who are at least 18 years of age, one of whom is a disinterested witness, who have signed at the request of the individual; and   [PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

B. State that it has been signed and witnessed as provided in paragraph A.   [PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

[PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

3.  Amendment or revocation by individual.  An individual may amend or revoke a refusal:  

A. In the manner provided in subsection 1 for making a refusal;   [PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

B. By subsequently making an anatomical gift pursuant to section 2945 that is inconsistent with the refusal; or   [PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

C. By the destruction or cancellation of the record evidencing the refusal, or the portion of the record used to make the refusal, with the intent to revoke the refusal.   [PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

[PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

4.  Effect of unrevoked refusal.  Except as otherwise provided in section 2948, subsection 7, in the absence of an express, contrary indication by the individual set forth in the refusal, an individual's unrevoked refusal to make an anatomical gift of the individual's body or a part bars all other persons from making an anatomical gift of the individual's body or the part.  

[PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2007, c. 601, §2 (NEW).