Sec. 19a-289m. Rights and responsibilities of a procurement organization. Donee's rights. Procedures for removing or transplanting donated body parts.

(a) When a hospital refers an individual at or near death to a procurement organization, the organization shall make a reasonable search of the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles and any donor registry that it knows exists for the geographical area in which the individual resides to ascertain whether the individual has made an anatomical gift.

(b) A procurement organization shall be allowed reasonable access to information contained in records maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles in accordance with the provisions of subsection (f) of section 14-10 to ascertain whether an individual at or near death is a donor.

(c) When a hospital refers an individual at or near death to a procurement organization, the organization may conduct any reasonable examination necessary to assess the medical suitability of a part that is or could be the subject of an anatomical gift for transplantation, therapy, research or education from a donor or a prospective donor. During such examination period, measures necessary to maintain the potential medical suitability of the part may not be withdrawn unless the hospital or procurement organization knows that the individual expressed a contrary intent.

(d) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, at any time after a donor's death, the person to which a part passes under section 19a-289j may conduct any reasonable examination necessary to assess the medical suitability of the body or part for its intended purpose.

(e) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, an examination undertaken pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section may include an examination of all medical and dental records of the donor or prospective donor.

(f) Upon the death of a minor who was a donor or had signed a refusal, unless a procurement organization knows the minor is emancipated, the procurement organization shall conduct a reasonable search for the parents of the minor and provide the parents with an opportunity to revoke or amend the anatomical gift or revoke the refusal.

(g) Upon referral by a hospital pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, a procurement organization shall make a reasonable search for any person listed in section 19a-289h having priority to make an anatomical gift on behalf of a prospective donor. If a procurement organization receives information that an anatomical gift to any other person was made, amended or revoked, the procurement organization shall promptly advise the other person of all relevant information.

(h) Subject to the provisions of subsection (i) of section 19a-289j, the rights of any person to which a part passes under section 19a-289j shall be superior to the rights of all others with respect to the part. Such person may accept or reject an anatomical gift in whole or in part. Subject to the terms of the document of gift and sections 19a-289 to 19a-289v, inclusive, a person that accepts an anatomical gift of an entire body may allow embalming, burial or cremation, and use of remains in a funeral service. If the gift is of a part, the person to which the part passes under section 19a-289j, upon the death of the donor and before embalming, burial or cremation, shall cause the part to be removed without unnecessary mutilation.

(i) Neither the physician who attends the decedent at death nor the physician who determines the time of the decedent's death may participate in the procedures for removing or transplanting a part from the decedent.

(j) A licensed physician or technician possessing the requisite skills and qualifications may remove a donated part from the body of a donor.

(P.A. 10-123, S. 14.)