TITLE 50. HEALTH AND SAFETY

CHAPTER 9. RIGHTS OF THE TERMINALLY ILL ACT

Part 2. Effect on Health Care -- Rights and Duties

Immunities

50-9-204. Immunities. (1) In the absence of actual notice of the revocation of a declaration, the following, while acting in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, are not subject to civil or criminal liability or guilty of unprofessional conduct:

(a) a physician or advanced practice registered nurse who causes the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from a qualified patient;

(b) a person who participates in the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment under the direction or with the authorization of a physician or advanced practice registered nurse;

(c) emergency medical services personnel who cause or participate in the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment under the direction of or with the authorization of a physician or advanced practice registered nurse or who on receipt of reliable documentation follow a living will protocol;

(d) emergency medical services personnel who proceed to provide life-sustaining treatment to a qualified patient pursuant to a revocation communicated to them; and

(e) a health care facility in which withholding or withdrawal occurs.

(2) A health care provider whose action under this chapter is in accord with reasonable medical standards is not subject to civil or criminal liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct with respect to that decision.

(3) A health care provider whose decision about the validity of consent under 50-9-106 is made in good faith is not subject to criminal or civil liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct with respect to that decision.

(4) An individual designated pursuant to 50-9-103(1) or an individual authorized to consent pursuant to 50-9-106, whose decision is made or consent is given in good faith pursuant to this chapter, is not subject to criminal or civil liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct with respect to that decision.

History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 369, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 475, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 391, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 240, L. 2003.