(1) Any person who may make a will may make an anatomical gift of his or her body.

(a) If the decedent makes an anatomical gift by one of the methods listed in s. 765.514(1), and in the absence of actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent, the document or entry in the donor registry is legally sufficient evidence of the decedent’s informed consent to donate an anatomical gift.

(b) An anatomical gift made by a qualified donor and not revoked by the donor, as provided in s. 765.516, is irrevocable after the donor’s death. A family member, guardian, representative ad litem, or health care surrogate may not modify, deny, or prevent a donor’s wish or intent to make an anatomical gift after the donor’s death.

(2) A health care surrogate designated by the decedent pursuant to part II of this chapter may give all or any part of the decedent’s body for any purpose specified in s. 765.513 absent actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent.

(3) If the decedent has not made an anatomical gift or designated a health surrogate, a member of one of the classes of persons listed below, in the order of priority listed and in the absence of actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent or actual notice of opposition by a member of a prior class, may give all or any part of the decedent’s body for any purpose specified in s. 765.513:

(a) The spouse of the decedent;

(b) An adult son or daughter of the decedent;

(c) Either parent of the decedent;

(d) An adult brother or sister of the decedent;

(e) An adult grandchild of the decedent;

(f) A grandparent of the decedent;

(g) A close personal friend, as defined in s. 765.101;

(h) A guardian of the person of the decedent at the time of his or her death; or

(i) A representative ad litem appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction upon a petition heard ex parte filed by any person, who shall ascertain that no person of higher priority exists who objects to the gift of all or any part of the decedent’s body and that no evidence exists of the decedent’s having made a communication expressing a desire that his or her body or body parts not be donated upon death.

Those of higher priority who are reasonably available must be contacted and made aware of the proposed gift and a reasonable search must be conducted which shows that there would have been no objection to the gift by the decedent.

(4) A donee may not accept an anatomical gift if the donee has actual notice of contrary indications by the donor or actual notice that an anatomical gift by a member of a class is opposed by a member of a prior class.

(5) The person authorized by subsection (3) may make the anatomical gift after the decedent’s death or immediately before the decedent’s death.

(6) An anatomical gift authorizes:

(a) Any examination necessary to assure medical acceptability of the gift for the purposes intended.

(b) The decedent’s medical provider, family, or a third party to furnish medical records requested concerning the decedent’s medical and social history.

(7) Once the anatomical gift has been made, the rights of the donee are paramount to the rights of others, except as provided by s. 765.517.

History.—s. 1, ch. 74-106; s. 45, ch. 75-220; s. 4, ch. 84-264; s. 62, ch. 85-62; s. 5, ch. 95-423; s. 974, ch. 97-102; s. 6, ch. 98-68; s. 12, ch. 99-331; s. 62, ch. 2001-226; s. 2, ch. 2003-46; s. 2, ch. 2008-223; s. 2, ch. 2009-218.

Note.—Created from former s. 736.23; s. 732.912.