36-3231

36-3231. Surrogate decision makers; priorities;
limitations

A. If an adult patient is unable to make or communicate health care treatment
decisions, a health care provider shall make a reasonable effort to locate and shall
follow a health care directive. A health care provider shall also make a reasonable
effort to consult with a surrogate. If the patient has a health care power of attorney
that meets the requirements of section 36-3221, the patient's designated agent shall act
as the patient's surrogate. However, if the court appoints a guardian for the express
purpose of making health care treatment decisions, that guardian shall act as the
patient's surrogate. If neither of these situations applies, the health care provider
shall make reasonable efforts to contact the following individual or individuals in the
indicated order of priority, who are available and willing to serve as the surrogate, who
then have the authority to make health care decisions for the patient and who shall
follow the patient's wishes if they are known:

1. The patient's spouse, unless the patient and spouse are legally separated.

2. An adult child of the patient. If the patient has more than one adult child,
the health care provider shall seek the consent of a majority of the adult children who
are reasonably available for consultation.

3. A parent of the patient.

4. If the patient is unmarried, the patient's domestic partner.

5. A brother or sister of the patient.

6. A close friend of the patient. For the purposes of this paragraph, "close
friend" means an adult who has exhibited special care and concern for the patient, who is
familiar with the patient's health care views and desires and who is willing and able to
become involved in the patient's health care and to act in the patient's best interest.

B. If the health care provider cannot locate any of the people listed in subsection
A of this section, the patient's attending physician may make health care treatment
decisions for the patient after the physician consults with and obtains the
recommendations of an institutional ethics committee. If this is not possible, the
physician may make these decisions after consulting with a second physician who concurs
with the physician's decision. For the purposes of this subsection, "institutional ethics
committee" means a standing committee of a licensed health care institution appointed or
elected to render advice concerning ethical issues involving medical treatment.

C. A person who makes a good faith medical decision pursuant to this section is
immune from liability to the same extent and under the same conditions as prescribed in
section 36-3205.

D. A surrogate may make decisions about mental health care treatment on behalf of a
patient if the patient is found incapable. However, a surrogate who is not the patient's
agent or guardian shall not make decisions to admit the patient to a level one behavioral
health facility licensed by the department of health services, except as provided in
subsection E of this section or section 14-5312.01, 14-5312.02 or 36-3281.

E. If the admitting officer for a mental health care provider has reasonable cause
to believe after examination that the patient is incapable as defined in section 36-3281,
subsection D and is likely to suffer serious physical harm or serious illness or to
inflict serious physical harm on another person without immediate hospitalization, the
patient may be admitted for inpatient treatment in a level one behavioral health facility
based on informed consent given by any surrogate identified in subsection A of this
section. The patient shall be discharged if a petition for court ordered evaluation or
for temporary guardianship requesting authority for the guardian to consent to admission
to a level one behavioral health facility has not been filed within forty-eight hours of
admission or on the following court day if the forty-eight hours expires on a weekend or
holiday. The discharge requirement prescribed in this section does not apply if the
patient has given informed consent to voluntary treatment or if a mental health care
provider is prohibited from discharging the patient under federal law.