Sec. 7. (a) An individual who may consent to health care under section 3 of this chapter may appoint another representative to act for the appointor in matters affecting the appointor’s health care.

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Terms Used In Indiana Code 16-36-1-7

  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • health care: means any care, treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or treat an individual's physical or mental condition. See Indiana Code 16-36-1-1
  • in writing: include printing, lithographing, or other mode of representing words and letters. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • representative: means :

    Indiana Code 16-36-1-2

     (b) An appointment and any amendment must meet the following conditions:

(1) Be in writing.

(2) Be signed by the appointor or by a designee in the appointor’s presence before January 1, 2023.

(3) Be witnessed by an adult other than the representative.

     (c) The appointor may specify in the appointment appropriate terms and conditions, including an authorization to the representative to delegate the authority to consent to another.

     (d) The authority granted becomes effective according to the terms of the appointment.

     (e) The appointment does not commence until the appointor becomes incapable of consenting. The authority granted in the appointment is not effective if the appointor regains the capacity to consent.

     (f) Unless the appointment provides otherwise, a representative appointed under this section who is reasonably available and willing to act has priority to act in all matters of health care for the appointor, except when the appointor is capable of consenting.

     (g) In making all decisions regarding the appointor’s health care, a representative appointed under this section shall act as follows:

(1) In the best interest of the appointor consistent with the purpose expressed in the appointment.

(2) In good faith.

     (h) A health care representative who resigns or is unwilling to comply with the written appointment may not exercise further power under the appointment and shall so inform the following:

(1) The appointor.

(2) The appointor’s legal representative if one is known.

(3) The health care provider if the representative knows there is one.

     (i) An individual who is capable of consenting to health care may revoke:

(1) the appointment at any time by notifying the representative orally or in writing; or

(2) the authority granted to the representative by notifying the health care provider orally or in writing.

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-8-12-6.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.81-2015, SEC.8; P.L.50-2021, SEC.37.

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