(a) General rule.--A health care power of attorney shall:
(1) Identify the principal and appoint the health care agent.
(2) Declare that the principal authorizes the health care agent to make health care decisions on behalf of the principal.
(b) Optional provisions.--A health care power of attorney may, but need not:
(1) Describe any limitations that the principal imposes upon the authority of the health care agent.
(2) Indicate the intent of the principal regarding the initiation, continuation, withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.
(3) Indicate whether the principal wants tube feeding or any other artificial or invasive form of nutrition or hydration.
(4) Disqualify an individual from acting as a health care representative, prohibit the appointment of a health care representative or provide for an order of priority of appointment of a health care representative pursuant to section 5461(d) (relating to decisions by health care representative).
(5) Nominate a guardian of the person of the principal as provided in section 5460 (relating to relation of health care agent to court-appointed guardian and other agents).
(6) Contain other provisions as the principal may specify regarding the implementation of health care decisions and related actions by the health care agent or health care representative.
(7) Request that the health care agent or health care representative exercise his sole and absolute discretion to consult the principal's relative, cleric or physician should the health care agent or health care representative be uncertain of the principal's wishes or best interests.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES
Section 5423 - Legislative findings and intent
Section 5425 - Conflicting advance health care directives
Section 5426 - Death not suicide or homicide
Section 5428 - Health care instruments optional
Section 5430 - Effect of divorce
Section 5432 - Criminal penalties
Section 5441 - Short title of subchapter
Section 5443 - When living will operative
Section 5445 - Emergency medical services
Section 5451 - Short title of subchapter
Section 5453 - Requirements and options
Section 5454 - When health care power of attorney operative
Section 5455 - Appointment of health care agents
Section 5456 - Authority of health care agent
Section 5460 - Relation of health care agent to court-appointed guardian and other agents
Section 5461 - Decisions by health care representative
Section 5462 - Duties of attending physician and health care provider
Section 5463 - Effect on other State law
Section 5481 - Short title of subchapter
Section 5482 - Legislative findings and intent
Section 5484 - Orders, bracelets and necklaces
Section 5486 - Absence of order, bracelet or necklace