Section 24-6B-21 - Effect of anatomical gift on advance health-care directive.

24-6B-21. Effect of anatomical gift on advance health-care directive.

A.     As used in this section:

(1)     "advance health-care directive" means a power of attorney for health care, a health-care directive made pursuant to the provisions of the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act [24-7A-17 NMSA 1978] or a record signed by a prospective donor containing the prospective donor's direction concerning a health-care decision for the prospective donor;

(2)     "declaration" means a record signed by a prospective donor specifying the circumstances under which a life support system may be withheld or withdrawn from the prospective donor; and

(3)     "health-care decision" means any decision made regarding the health care of the prospective donor.

B.     If a prospective donor has a declaration or advance health-care directive, measures necessary to ensure the medical suitability of an organ for transplantation or therapy may not be withheld or withdrawn from the prospective donor, unless the declaration expressly provides to the contrary.