§16-19-9. Who May Make Anatomical Gift of Decedent's Body or Part

WV Code § 16-19-9 (2019) (N/A)
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(a) Unless barred by section seven or section eight of this article, an anatomical gift of a decedent's body or part for purpose of transplantation, therapy, research or education may be made by any member of the following classes of persons who is reasonably available, in the order of priority listed:

(1) A person holding a medical power of attorney or another agent of the decedent at the time of death who could have made an anatomical gift under section four of this article immediately before the decedent's death;

(2) The spouse of the decedent, unless in the six (6) months prior to the decedent's death the spouse has lived separate and apart from the decedent in a separate place of abode without cohabitation;

(3) Adult children of the decedent;

(4) The person acting as the guardian of the decedent at the time of death;

(5) An appointed health care surrogate;

(6) Parents of the decedent;

(7) Adult siblings of the decedent;

(8) Adult grandchildren of the decedent;

(9) Grandparents of the decedent; or

(10) An adult who exhibited special care and concern for the decedent.

(b) If there is more than one member of a class entitled to make an anatomical gift, any member of the class may make the anatomical gift unless he or she or a person to whom the anatomical gift may pass pursuant to section eleven of this section knows of an objection by another member of the class. If an objection is known, the majority of the members of the same class must be opposed to the donation in order for the donation to be revoked. In the event of a tie vote, the attending physician or advanced nurse practitioner shall appoint a health care surrogate to decide whether to make an anatomical gift of the decedent's body or part for the purpose of transplantation, therapy, research or education.

(c) A person may not make an anatomical gift if, at the time of the decedent's death, a person in a prior class is reasonably available to make or to object to the making of an anatomical gift.