§1151.4. Procedure for making a declaration for a qualified patient who has not previously made a declaration

A.(1) Nothing in this Subpart shall be construed in any manner to prevent the withholding or the withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures from a qualified patient with a terminal and irreversible condition who is comatose, incompetent, or otherwise physically or mentally incapable of communication and has not made a prior declaration in accordance with this Subpart .

(2) When a comatose or incompetent person or a person who is physically or mentally incapable of communication has been certified as a qualified patient and has not previously made a declaration, any of the following individuals in the following order of priority, if there is no individual in a prior class who is reasonably available, willing, and competent to act, may make a declaration on the qualified patient's behalf:

(a) The judicially appointed tutor or curator of the patient if one has been appointed. This Subparagraph shall not be construed to require such appointment in order that a declaration can be made under this Section.

(b) Any person or persons previously designated by an adult patient by written instrument signed by the patient in the presence of at least two witnesses, to have the authority to make a declaration for the patient in the event of the patient's inability to do so. If the instrument so authorizes more than one person, it may include the order in which the persons designated shall have authority to make the declaration.

(c) The patient's spouse not judicially separated.

(d) An adult child of the patient.

(e) The parents of the patient.

(f) The patient's sibling.

(g) The patient's other ascendants or descendants.

(3) If there is more than one person within the above named class in Subparagraphs (2)(d) through (2)(g) of this Subsection, then the declaration shall be made by a majority of that class available for consultation upon good faith efforts to secure participation of all of that class.

B. In any case where the declaration is made by a person specified in Subparagraphs (A)(2)(b), (c), (d), (e), or (f), there shall be at least two witnesses present at the time the declaration is made.

C. The absence of a declaration by an adult patient shall not give rise to any presumption as to the intent to consent to or to refuse life-sustaining procedures.

Acts 1984, No. 382, §1; Acts 1985, No. 187, §1, eff. July 6, 1985; Acts 1991, No. 323, §1; Acts 2012, No. 353, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 40:1299.58.5 by HCR 84 of 2015 R.S.