California · Health and Safety Code - HSC

HSC §7150.55: (a) All of the following persons shall make a reasonable search of an individual who the person reasonably believes is dead or near death for a document of gift or other information identifying the in

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

Law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and hospitals must reasonably search deceased or near-death individuals for organ donation documents or refusals. Failure to search carries only administrative sanctions, not criminal or civil liability.

Read the full statutory text

(a) All of the following persons shall make a reasonable search of an individual who the person reasonably believes is dead or near death for a document of gift or other information identifying the individual as a donor or as an individual who made a refusal: (1) A law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, or other emergency rescuer finding the individual. (2) If no other source of the information is immediately available, a hospital, as soon as practical after the individual’s arrival at the hospital. (b) If a document of gift or a refusal to make an anatomical gift is located by the search required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) and the individual or deceased individual to whom it relates is taken to a hospital, the person responsible for conducting the search shall send the document of gift or refusal to the hospital. (c) A person is not subject to criminal or civil liability for failing to discharge the duties imposed by this section, but may be subject to administrative sanctions.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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