§ 23-4.11-10 - General provisions. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 23-4.11-10

   § 23-4.11-10  General provisions. –(a) Death resulting from the withholding or withdrawal of life sustainingprocedures pursuant to a declaration and in accordance with this chapter doesnot constitute, for any purpose, a suicide or homicide.

   (b) The making of a declaration pursuant to § 23-4.11-3does not affect in any manner the sale, procurement, or issuance of any policyof life insurance, nor does it modify the terms of an existing policy of lifeinsurance. A policy of life insurance is not legally impaired or invalidated inany manner by the withholding or withdrawal of life sustaining procedures froman insured qualified patient, notwithstanding any term of the policy to thecontrary.

   (c) A person may not prohibit or require the execution of adeclaration as a condition for being insured for, or receiving, health careservices.

   (d) This chapter creates no presumption concerning theintention of an individual who has revoked or has not executed a declarationwith respect to the use, withholding or withdrawal of life sustainingprocedures in the event of a terminal condition.

   (e) This chapter does not increase or decrease the right of apatient to make decisions regarding use of life sustaining procedures so longas the patient is able to do so, or impair or supersede any right orresponsibility that any person has to effect the withholding or withdrawal ofmedical care.

   (f) This chapter does not condone, authorize, or approvemercy killing or euthanasia.