(a) The following persons shall make a reasonable search of an individual who the person reasonably believes is dead or whose death is imminent for a document of gift or other information identifying the individual as a donor or as an individual who made a refusal:
(1) A law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, or other emergency rescuer finding the individual; and
(2) If no other source of the information is immediately available, a hospital, as soon as practical after the individual’s arrival at the hospital.
(b) If a document of gift or a refusal to make an anatomical gift is located by the search required by subsection (a)(1) of this section and the individual or deceased individual to whom it relates is taken to a hospital, the person responsible for conducting the search shall send the document of gift or refusal to the hospital.
(c) A person is not subject to criminal or civil liability for failing to discharge the duties imposed by this section, but may be subject to administrative sanctions.
(Apr. 15, 2008, D.C. Law 17-145, § 12, 55 DCR 2532.)
Uniform Law: This section is based upon § 12 of the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (2006).
Structure District of Columbia Code
Title 7 - Human Health Care and Safety
Subchapter II-A - Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act
§ 7–1531.03. Who may make anatomical gift before donor’s death
§ 7–1531.04. Manner of making anatomical gift before donor’s death
§ 7–1531.05. Amending or revoking anatomical gift before donor’s death
§ 7–1531.06. Refusal to make anatomical gift; effect of refusal
§ 7–1531.07. Preclusive effect of anatomical gift, amendment, or revocation
§ 7–1531.08. Who may make anatomical gift of decedent’s body or part
§ 7–1531.09. Manner of making, amending, or revoking anatomical gift of decedent’s body or part
§ 7–1531.10. Persons that may receive anatomical gift; purpose of anatomical gift
§ 7–1531.11. Search and notification
§ 7–1531.12. Delivery of document of gift not required; right to examine
§ 7–1531.13. Rights and duties of procurement organization and others
§ 7–1531.14. Coordination of procurement and use
§ 7–1531.15. Sale or purchase of parts prohibited
§ 7–1531.16. Other prohibited acts
§ 7–1531.19. Establishment of the donor registry
§ 7–1531.19a. Access to Registry information
§ 7–1531.19b. Sources of Registry information; confidentiality
§ 7–1531.19c. Department of Motor Vehicles transfer of Registry information requirements
§ 7–1531.19d. Effect of amendment or revocation of anatomical gift upon Registry
§ 7–1531.19e. Donor status not dependent on being listed in Registry
§ 7–1531.19f. Rulemaking for Registry
§ 7–1531.20. Effect of anatomical gift on advance health-care directive
§ 7–1531.21. Cooperation between the Chief Medical Examiner and procurement organizations
§ 7–1531.23. Uniformity of application and construction
§ 7–1531.24. Duties of hospitals and hospices
§ 7–1531.25. Organ preservation
§ 7–1531.26. Certificate requirement
§ 7–1531.28. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act