Sec. 17. (a) A death caused by the withholding or withdrawal of life prolonging procedures in accordance with this chapter does not constitute a suicide.

     (b) The execution of a living will declaration or a life prolonging procedures will declaration under this chapter does not:

(1) affect the sale or issuance of any life insurance policy; or

(2) modify the terms of a policy in force when the declaration is executed.

     (c) A policy of life insurance is not legally impaired or invalidated by the withholding or withdrawal of life prolonging procedures from an insured qualified patient, notwithstanding any term of the policy to the contrary.

     (d) A person may not require another person to execute a living will declaration or a life prolonging procedures will declaration as a condition for being insured for or receiving health care services.

     (e) This chapter does not impair or supersede any legal right or legal responsibility that any person may have to effect the withholding or withdrawal of life prolonging procedures in any lawful manner.

     (f) A person who has been found:

(1) guilty; or

(2) guilty but mentally ill;

of an offense described in section 16 of this chapter is subject to IC 29-1-2-12.1.

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-8-11-18.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.19.