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District of Columbia Living Wills Laws
More Information on Living Wills
| Code Section | 7-621, et seq. Natural Death Act |
| Specific Powers, Life-Prolonging Acts | Any medical procedure or intervention which would serve only to artificially prolong the dying process and where death will occur whether or not such procedures are utilized; does not include medication or any medical procedure necessary to alleviate pain or provide comfort care |
| Legal Requirements for Valid Living Will | (1) 18 yrs.; (2) in writing; (3) dated; (4) signed; (5) in presence of 2 or more witnesses over 18; (6) declaration should be in substantially the statutory form of §6-2422 |
| Revocation of Living Will | Revocable at any time by declarant without regard to declarant's mental state by (1) destruction of documents; (2) written revocation signed and dated; (3) verbal expression of intent to revoke in presence of an 18 year old witness; desires of qualified patient at all times supersede the effect of the declaration |
| Validity from State-to-State | - |
| If Physician Unwilling to Follow Living Will | Physician must effect a transfer and failure to do so shall constitute unprofessional conduct |
| Immunity for Attending Physician | No civil, criminal, professional liability for physician who acts in good faith pursuant to reasonable medical standard and to a declaration made |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
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