Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 84 Part 1.djvu/327

 84 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 91-268-MAY 26, 1970

269

DELIVERY OF D O C U M E N T OF ( i l F T

SEC. 5. If the gift is made by the donor to a specified donee, the will, card, or other document, or any executed copy thereof, may be delivered to the donee to expedite the appropriate procedures immediately after death, but delivery is not necessary to the validity of the gift. The will, card, or other document, or an executed copy thereof, may be deposited in any hospital, bank or storage facility, or registry office that accepts them for safekeeping or for Jacilitation of procedures after death. On request of any interested party upon or after the donor's death, the person in possession shall produce the document for examination. AMENDMENT OR REVOCATION OF THE G I F T

SEC. 6. (a) If the will, card, or other document of executed copy thereof, has been delivered to a specified donee, the donor may amend or revoke the gift by— (1) the execution and delivery to the donee of a signed statement, or (2) an oral statement made in the presence of two persons and communicated to the donee, or (3) a statement during a terminal illness or injury addressed to an attending physician and communicated to the donee, or (4) a signed card or document found on his person or in his effects. (b) Any document of gift which has not been delivered to the donee may be revoked by the donor in the manner set out in subsection (a) or by destruction, cancellation, or mutilation of the document and all executed copies thereof. (c) Any gift made by a will may also be amended or revoked in the manner provided for amendment or revocation of wills, or as provided in subsection (a).

F.

RIGHTS AND DUTIES AT DEATH

SEC. 7. (a) The donee may accept or reject the gift. If the donee accepts a gift of the entire body, he may, subject to the terms of the gift, authorize embalming and the use of the body in funeral services. If the gift is of a part of the body, the donee, upon the death of the donor and prior to embalming, shall cause the part to be removed without unnecessary mutilation. After removal of the part, custody of the remainder of the body vests in the surviving spouse, next of kin or other persons under obligation to dispose of the body. (b) The time of death shall be determined by a physician who attends the donor at his death, or, if none, the physician who certifies the death. This physician shall not participate in the procedures for removing or transplanting a part. (c) A person who acts in good faith in accord with the terms of this Act, or under the anatomical gift laws of another State is not liable for damages in any civil action or subject to prosecution in any criminal proceeding for his act. (d) The provisions of this Act are subject to the laws of the District of Columbia prescribing powers and duties with respect to autopsies.

Time of death.

Liability.

Autopsies.

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