Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-18.6.1 - Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act
Section 23-18.6.1-9. - Who may make anatomical gift of decedent’s body or part.

§ 23-18.6.1-9. Who may make anatomical gift of decedent’s body or part.
(a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c) and unless barred by this chapter, an anatomical gift of a decedent’s body or part for purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, or education may be made by any member of the following classes of persons who is reasonably available, in the order of priority listed:
(1) An agent of the decedent at the time of death who could have made an anatomical gift pursuant to this chapter immediately before the decedent’s death;
(2) The spouse of the decedent or the certified domestic partner of the decedent as defined in subsections 36-12-1(3) and 45-19-4.3(b) or any other provision of state law;
(3) Adult children of the decedent;
(4) Parents of the decedent;
(5) Adult siblings of the decedent;
(6) Adult grandchildren of the decedent;
(7) Grandparents of the decedent;
(8) An adult who exhibited special care and concern for the decedent, who is familiar with the decedent’s personal values, and who had maintained regular contact with the decedent prior to his or her death; provided, however, it shall not include any medical personnel caring for the decedent at the time of or immediately leading up to the decedent’s death; and
(9) The persons who were acting as the guardians of the person of the decedent at the time of death.
(b) If there is more than one member of a class listed in the previous subsection which is entitled to make an anatomical gift, an anatomical gift may be made by a member of the class unless that member or a person to which the gift may pass under the provisions of this chapter knows of an objection by another member of the class. If an objection is known, the gift may be made only by a majority of the members of the class who are reasonably available.
(c) A person may not make an anatomical gift if, at the time of the decedent’s death, a person in a prior class under subsection (a) is reasonably available to make or to object to the making of an anatomical gift.
History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 476, § 2.

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