(a)  An individual may refuse to make an anatomical gift of the individual’s body or part by:

(1)  A record signed by:

(i)  The individual; or

(ii)  Subject to subsection (b), another individual acting at the direction of the individual if the individual is physically unable to sign;

(2)  The individual’s will, whether or not the will is admitted to probate or invalidated after the individual’s death; or

(3)  Any form of communication made by the individual during the individual’s terminal illness or injury addressed to at least two (2) adults, at least one of whom is a disinterested witness.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 23-18.6.1-7

  • Anatomical gift: means a donation of all or part of a human body to take effect after the donor's death for the purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, or education. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-18.6.1-2
  • Disinterested witness: means a witness other than the spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandchild, grandparent, or guardian of the individual who makes, amends, revokes, or refuses to make an anatomical gift, or another adult who exhibited special care and concern for the individual. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-18.6.1-2
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Part: means an organ, an eye, or tissue of a human being. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-18.6.1-2
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • Record: means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-18.6.1-2
  • Refusal: means a record created under Rhode Island General Laws 23-18.6.1-2
  • Sign: means , with the present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:

    (i)  To execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or

    (ii)  To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or process. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-18.6.1-2

(b)  A record signed pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(ii) must:

(1)  Be witnessed by at least two (2) adults, at least one of whom is a disinterested witness, who have signed at the request of the individual; and

(2)  State that it has been signed and witnessed as provided in paragraph (1).

(c)  An individual who has made a refusal may amend or revoke the refusal:

(1)  In the manner provided in subsection (a) for making a refusal;

(2)  By subsequently making an anatomical gift pursuant to the provisions of this chapter that is inconsistent with the refusal; or

(3)  By destroying or canceling the record evidencing the refusal, or the portion of the record used to make the refusal, with the intent to revoke the refusal.

(d)  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in the absence of an express, contrary indication by the individual set forth in the refusal, an individual’s unrevoked refusal to make an anatomical gift of the individual’s body or part bars all other persons from making an anatomical gift of the individual’s body or part.

History of Section.
P.L. 2007, ch. 476, § 2.