2020 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 24 - Health and Safety
Article 7B - Mental Health Care Treatment Decisions
Section 24-7B-6 - Revocation of advance directive for mental health treatment.

A. An individual, while having capacity, may revoke the designation of an agent either by a signed writing or by personally informing the supervising health care provider. If the individual cannot sign, a written revocation shall be signed for the individual and be witnessed by two witnesses pursuant to Subsections I and J of Section 4 [24-7B-4 NMSA 1978] of the Mental Health Care Treatment Decisions Act, each of whom has signed at the direction of the individual and in the presence of the individual and each other.

B. An individual, while having capacity, may revoke all or part of an advance directive for mental health treatment, other than the designation of an agent, at any time and in any manner that communicates an intent to revoke.

C. A mental health treatment provider, agent or guardian who is informed of a revocation shall promptly communicate the fact of the revocation to the supervising health care provider and to any mental health treatment facility at which the patient is receiving care.

D. The filing of a petition for or a decree of annulment, divorce, dissolution of marriage or legal separation revokes a previous designation of a spouse as agent, unless otherwise specified in the decree or in a power of attorney for mental health treatment. A designation revoked solely by this subsection is revived by the individual's remarriage to the former spouse, by a nullification of the divorce, annulment or legal separation or by the dismissal or withdrawal, with the individual's consent, of a petition seeking annulment, divorce, dissolution of marriage or legal separation.

E. An advance directive for mental health treatment that conflicts with an earlier advance directive for mental health treatment revokes the earlier directive to the extent of the conflict.

F. Unless otherwise specified in the power of attorney for mental health treatment, an advance health-care directive pursuant to the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act [Chapter 24, Article 7A NMSA 1978] and an advance directive for mental health treatment shall be treated separately. A revocation of a power of attorney for mental health treatment shall not affect the validity of a power of attorney.

History: Laws 2006, ch. 7, § 6.

Effective dates. — Laws 2006, ch. 7 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective May 17, 2006, 90 days after adjournment of the legislature.