Section 291-A:14 Release of Corneas for Transplantation; Liability. - New Hampshire Statutes

   I. Upon request of a procurement organization, the chief medical examiner, or designee, may release the cornea of a decedent to a procurement organization under the following conditions:
      (a) The body of the decedent is under the jurisdiction of the chief medical examiner, in accordance with RSA 611-B.
      (b) A period of one hour has elapsed after the chief medical examiner, or designee, has notified such procurement organization and the procurement organization has received notification that the cornea of the decedent is available for transplant, and during such period the procurement organization has made a good faith effort to notify decedent's spouse or next of kin that a transplant is proposed.
      (c) No objections to the donation were made known by the decedent prior to his death or by the decedent's spouse or next of kin or by an agent of the decedent to the chief medical examiner or designee.
      (d) The removal of the cornea for transplant will not alter the decedent's facial appearance.
   II. A log, available at the procurement organization, shall contain the time of the notification by the chief medical examiner, or designee.
   III. No medical examiner, physician, or procurement organization, acting under the provisions of this section, shall be liable in any criminal or civil action brought as a result of a release of the decedent's cornea if a good faith effort was made to notify decedent's spouse or next of kin of such transplant.

Source. 1997, 336:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998. 2007, 324:15, eff. Sept. 14, 2007.