The Legislature finds that competent adult persons have the right to control the decisions relating to the rendering of their own medical care, including, without limitation, the decision to have medical procedures, life-sustaining treatment, and artificially provided nutrition and hydration provided, withheld, or withdrawn in instances of terminal conditions and permanent unconsciousness. In order that the rights of individuals may be respected even after they are no longer able to participate actively in decisions about themselves, the Legislature hereby declares that the laws of this state shall recognize the right of a competent adult person to make a written declaration instructing his or her physician to provide, withhold, or withdraw life-sustaining treatment and artificially provided nutrition and hydration or designate by lawful written form a health care proxy to make decisions on behalf of the adult person concerning the providing, withholding, or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment and artificially provided nutrition and hydration in instances of terminal conditions and permanent unconsciousness. The Legislature further desires to provide for the appointment of surrogate decision-makers in instances where the individual has not made such a designation and to allow a health care provider to follow certain portable physician orders and orders for pediatric and palliative and end of life care as provided for in this chapter.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 22 - Health, Mental Health, and Environmental Control.
Title 1 - Health and Environmental Control Generally.
Chapter 8A - Termination of Life-Support Procedures.
Section 22-8A-1 - Short Title.
Section 22-8A-2 - Legislative Intent.
Section 22-8A-3 - Definitions.
Section 22-8A-4 - Advance Directive for Health Care; Living Will and Health Care Proxy.
Section 22-8A-4.1 - Validity of Dnar Orders; Adoption of Rules.
Section 22-8A-5 - Revocation of Advance Directive for Health Care.
Section 22-8A-6 - Proxy to Comply With Instructions, Intent of Patient.
Section 22-8A-7 - Competency of Declarant; Liability of Participating Physician, Facility, Etc.
Section 22-8A-8 - Refusal of Health Care Provider to Comply; Penalties.
Section 22-8A-10 - Provisions of Chapter Not an Approval of Mercy Killing, Etc.
Section 22-8A-12 - Validity of Advance Health Care Directive Executed in Another State.
Section 22-8A-13 - Effect of Prior Declarations.
Section 22-8A-16 - Temporary Task Force for Establishment of Order for Ppel Care Form.
Section 22-8A-17 - Application of Order for Ppel Care Form; Liability.