Ind. Code ch. 29-2-16.1

in effect

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-1 Definitions

Sec. 1. The following definitions apply throughout this chapter: (1) "Adult" means an individual at least eighteen (18) years of age. (2) "Agent" means an individual who is: (A) authorized to make health care decisions on behalf of another person by a health care power of attorney under IC 30-5-5-16 or a health care representative under IC 16-36-7; or (B) expressly authorized to make an anatomical gift on behalf of another person by a document signed by the person. (3) "Anatomical gift" means a donation of all or part of a human body to take effect after the donor's death for the purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, or education. (4) "Bank" or "storage facility" means a facility licensed, accredited, or approved under the laws of any state for storage of human bodies or parts of human bodies. (5) "Decedent": (A) means a deceased individual whose body or body part is or may be the source of an anatomical gift; and (B) includes: (i) a stillborn infant; and (ii) except as restricted by any other law, a fetus. (6) "Disinterested witness" means an individual other than a spouse, child, sibling, grandchild, grandparent, or guardian of the individual who makes, amends, revokes, or refuses to make an anatomical gift or another adult who exhibited special care and concern for the individual. This term does not include a person to whom an anatomical gift could pass under section 10 of this chapter. (7) "Document of gift" means a donor card or other record used to make an anatomical gift, including a statement or symbol on: (A) a driver's license; (B) an identification card; (C) a resident license to hunt, fish, or trap; or (D) a donor registry. (8) "Donor" means an individual whose body or body part is the subject of an anatomical gift. (9) "Donor registry" means: (A) a data base maintained by: (i) the bureau of motor vehicles; or (ii) the equivalent agency in another state; (B) the Donate Life Indiana Registry maintained by the Indiana Donation Alliance Foundation; or (C) a donor registry maintained in another state; that contains records of anatomical gifts and amendments to or revocations of anatomical gifts. (10) "Driver's license" means a license or permit issued by the bureau of motor vehicles to operate a vehicle. (11) "Eye bank" means a person that is licensed, accredited, or regulated under federal or state law to engage in the recovery, screening, testing, processing, storage, or distribution of human eyes or portions of human eyes. (12) "Guardian" means an individual appointed by a court to make decisions regarding the support, care, education, health, or welfare of an individual. The term does not include a guardian ad litem. (13) "Hospital" means a facility licensed as a hospital under the laws of any state or a facility operated as a hospital by the United States, a state, or a subdivision of a state. (14) "Identification card" means an identification card issued by the bureau of motor vehicles. (15) "Minor" means an individual under eighteen (18) years of age. (16) "Organ procurement organization" means a person designated by the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services as an organ procurement organization. (17) "Parent" means an individual whose parental rights have not been terminated. (18) "Part" means an organ, an eye, or tissue of a human being. The term does not mean a whole body. (19) "Pathologist" means a physician: (A) certified by the American Board of Pathology; or (B) holding an unlimited license to practice medicine in Indiana and acting under the direction of a physician certified by the American Board of Pathology. (20) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity. (21) "Physician" or "surgeon" means an individual authorized to practice medicine or osteopathy under the laws of any state. (22) "Procurement organization" means an eye bank, organ procurement organization, or tissue bank. (23) "Prospective donor" means an individual who is dead or near death and has been determined by a procurement organization to have a part that could be medically suitable for transplantation, therapy, research, or education. The term does not include an individual who has made an appropriate refusal. (24) "Reasonably available" means: (A) able to be contacted by a procurement organization without undue effort; and (B) willing and able to act in a timely manner consistent with existing medical criteria necessary for the making of an anatomical gift. (25) "Recipient" means an individual into whose body a decedent's part has been or is intended to be transplanted. (26) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (27) "Refusal" means a record created under section 6 of this chapter that expressly states the intent to bar another person from making an anatomical gift of an individual's body or part. (28) "Sign" means, with the present intent to authenticate or adopt a record: (A) to execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or (B) to attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or process. (29) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. (30) "Technician" means an individual determined to be qualified to remove or process parts by an appropriate organization that is licensed, accredited, or regulated under federal or state law. The term includes an eye enucleator. (31) "Tissue" means a part of the human body other than an organ or an eye. The term does not include blood or other bodily fluids unless the blood or bodily fluids are donated for the purpose of research or education. (32) "Tissue bank" means a person that is licensed, accredited, or regulated under federal or state law to engage in the recovery, screening, testing, processing, storage, or distribution of tissue. (33) "Transplant hospital" means a hospital that furnishes organ transplants and other medical and surgical specialty services required for the care of organ transplant patients. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.198-2016, SEC.659; P.L.11-2020, SEC.2; P.L.50-2021, SEC.68.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-2 Chapter application

Sec. 2. This chapter applies to: (1) an anatomical gift; (2) an amendment to an anatomical gift; (3) a revocation of an anatomical gift; or (4) a refusal to make an anatomical gift. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-3 Persons who may make anatomical gifts during the lifetime of a donor

Sec. 3. Subject to section 7 of this chapter, an anatomical gift of a donor's body or part may be made during the life of the donor for the purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, or education in the manner provided in section 4 of this chapter by: (1) the donor, if the donor is an adult or if the donor is a minor and is: (A) emancipated; or (B) authorized under state law to apply for a driver's license because the donor is at least sixteen (16) years of age; (2) an agent, a health care representative, or a proxy (as defined by IC 16-36-7-20) of the donor, unless the health care power of attorney, advance directive, or other record prohibits the agent from making an anatomical gift; (3) a parent of the donor, if the donor is not emancipated; or (4) the donor's guardian. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.50-2021, SEC.69.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-4 Methods of making anatomical gifts

Sec. 4. (a) A donor may make an anatomical gift: (1) by authorizing a statement or symbol indicating that the donor has made an anatomical gift to be imprinted on: (A) the donor's driver's license or identification card under IC 9-24-17; or (B) the donor's resident hunting, fishing, or trapping license under IC 14-22-12-1; (2) in a will; (3) during a terminal illness or injury of the donor, by any form of communication directed to at least two (2) adults, at least one (1) of whom is a disinterested witness; or (4) as provided in subsection (b). (b) A donor or other person authorized to make an anatomical gift under section 3 of this chapter may make a gift by: (1) a donor card or other record signed by the donor or other person making the gift; or (2) authorizing that a statement or symbol indicating that the donor has made an anatomical gift be included on a donor registry. (c) If the donor or other person is physically unable to sign a record, the record may be signed by another individual at the direction of the donor or other person and must: (1) be witnessed by at least two (2) adults, at least one (1) of whom is a disinterested witness, who have signed at the request of the donor or the other person; and (2) state that it has been signed and witnessed as provided in subdivision (1). (d) Revocation, suspension, expiration, or cancellation of: (1) a driver's license; (2) an identification card; or (3) the donor's resident hunting, fishing, or trapping license; that indicates an anatomical gift does not invalidate the gift. (e) An anatomical gift made by will takes effect upon the donor's death whether or not the will is probated. Invalidation of the will after the donor's death does not invalidate the gift. (f) Neither the state nor any organ recovery health care provider (as defined by IC 34-18-2-14) is civilly liable as a result of an individual making an unrevoked anatomical gift under this chapter. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.11-2020, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-5 Amendment or revocation of anatomical gifts

Sec. 5. (a) Subject to section 7 of this chapter, a donor or other person authorized to make an anatomical gift under section 3 of this chapter may amend or revoke an anatomical gift by: (1) a record signed by: (A) the donor; (B) the other person; or (C) subject to subsection (b), another individual acting at the direction of the donor or the other person authorized to make an anatomical gift if the donor or other person is physically unable to sign; or (2) a later executed document of gift that amends or revokes a previous anatomical gift or portion of an anatomical gift, either expressly or by inconsistency. (b) A record signed under subsection (a)(1)(C) must: (1) be witnessed by two (2) adults, at least one (1) of whom is a disinterested witness, who are witnesses at the request of the donor or the other person authorized to make an anatomical gift; and (2) state that the record has been signed and witnessed as described in subdivision (1). (c) Subject to section 7 of this chapter, a donor or other person authorized to make an anatomical gift under section 3 of this chapter may revoke an anatomical gift by the destruction or cancellation of the: (1) document of gift; or (2) portion of the document of gift used to make the gift; with the intent to revoke the gift. (d) A donor may amend or revoke an anatomical gift that was not made in a will by any form of communication during a terminal illness or injury addressed to at least two (2) adults, at least one (1) of whom is a disinterested witness. (e) A donor who makes an anatomical gift in a will may amend or revoke the gift as described in subsection (a). As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-6 Refusal of anatomical gifts

Sec. 6. (a) An individual may refuse to make an anatomical gift of the individual's body or part by: (1) a record signed by: (A) the individual; or (B) subject to subsection (b), another individual acting at the direction of the individual if the individual is physically unable to sign; (2) the individual's will, including if the will is admitted to probate or invalidated after the individual's death; or (3) any form of communication made by the individual during the individual's terminal illness or injury to at least two (2) adults, and one (1) of the adults must be a disinterested witness. (b) A record signed under subsection (a)(1)(B) must: (1) be witnessed by two (2) adults, at least one (1) of whom is a disinterested witness, who are witnesses at the request of the donor or the other person acting at the direction of the donor; and (2) state that the record has been signed and witnessed as described in subdivision (1). (c) An individual who has made a refusal may amend or revoke the refusal: (1) in the manner described in subsection (a); (2) by subsequently making an anatomical gift under section 4 of this chapter that is inconsistent with the refusal; or (3) by destroying or cancelling the record evidencing the refusal, or the portion of the record used to make the refusal, with the intent to revoke the refusal. (d) Except as provided in section 7(h) of this chapter, in the absence of an express, contrary indication by the individual set forth in the refusal, an individual's unrevoked refusal to make an anatomical gift of the individual's body or part bars another person from making an anatomical gift of the individual's body or part. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-7 Persons prohibited from making, amending, or revoking an anatomical gift; donor revocation of an anatomical gift; unemancipated minors

Sec. 7. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g) and subject to subsection (f), in the absence of an express, contrary indication by the donor, a person other than the donor is barred from making, amending, or revoking an anatomical gift of a donor's body or part if the donor made an anatomical gift of the donor's body or part under section 4 of this chapter or an amendment to an anatomical gift of the donor's body or part under section 5 of this chapter. (b) A donor's revocation of an anatomical gift of the donor's body or part under section 5 of this chapter is not a refusal and does not bar the person specified in section 3 or 8 of this chapter from making an anatomical gift of the donor's body or part under section 4 or 9 of this chapter. (c) If a person other than the donor makes an unrevoked anatomical gift of the donor's body or part under section 4 of this chapter or an amendment to an anatomical gift of the donor's body or part under section 5 of this chapter, another person may not make, amend, or revoke the gift of the donor's body or part under section 9 of this chapter. (d) A revocation of an anatomical gift of a donor's body or part under section 5 of this chapter by a person other than the donor does not bar another person from making an anatomical gift of the body or part under section 4 or 9 of this chapter. (e) In the absence of an express, contrary indication by the donor or other person authorized to make an anatomical gift under section 3 of this chapter, an anatomical gift of a part is neither a refusal to give another part nor a limitation on the making of an anatomical gift of another part at a later time by the donor or another person. (f) In the absence of an express, contrary indication by the donor or other person authorized to make an anatomical gift under section 3 of this chapter, an anatomical gift of a part for one (1) or more of the purposes set forth in section 3 of this chapter is not a limitation on the making of an anatomical gift of the part for any of the other purposes of the donor or any other person under section 4 or 9 of this chapter. (g) If a donor who is an unemancipated minor dies, a parent of the donor who is reasonably available may revoke or amend an anatomical gift of the donor's body or part. (h) If an unemancipated minor who signed a refusal dies, a parent of the minor who is reasonably available may revoke the minor's refusal. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.3-2008, SEC.226.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-8 Priority of persons authorized to make an anatomical gift of a decedent's body or part

Sec. 8. (a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c), unless barred by section 6 or 7 of this chapter, an anatomical gift of a decedent's body or part for the purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, or education may be made by any member of the following classes of persons who are reasonably available, in the order of priority listed: (1) An agent of the decedent at the time of death who could have made an anatomical gift under section 3(2) of this chapter immediately before the decedent's death. (2) The spouse of the decedent. (3) Adult children of the decedent. (4) Parents of the decedent. (5) Adult siblings of the decedent. (6) A guardian appointed by a court under IC 29-3-5-3. (7) Adult grandchildren of the decedent. (8) Grandparents of the decedent. (9) An adult who exhibited special care and concern for the decedent. (10) Any other person having the authority to dispose of the decedent's body. (b) If there is more than one (1) member of a class listed in subsection (a)(1), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), (a)(6), (a)(7), or (a)(8) entitled to make an anatomical gift, an anatomical gift may be made by a member of the class unless that member or a person to whom the gift may pass under section 10 of this chapter knows of an objection by another member of the class. If an objection is known, the gift may be made only by a majority of the members of the class who are reasonably available. (c) A person may not make an anatomical gift if, at the time of the decedent's death, a person in a prior class under subsection (a) is reasonably available to make or to object to the making of an anatomical gift. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.26-2021, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-9 Anatomical gift documents; amendments; revocations

Sec. 9. (a) A person authorized to make an anatomical gift under section 8 of this chapter may make an anatomical gift by a document or may make an anatomical gift by a document of gift signed by the person making the gift or by that person's oral communication that is electronically recorded or is contemporaneously reduced to a record and signed by the individual receiving the oral communication. (b) Subject to subsection (c), an anatomical gift by a person authorized under section 8 of this chapter may be amended or revoked orally or in a record by any member of a prior class who is reasonably available. If more than one (1) member of the prior class is reasonably available, the gift made by a person authorized under section 8 of this chapter may be: (1) amended only if a majority of the reasonably available members agree to the amending of the gift; or (2) revoked only if a majority of the reasonably available members agree to the revoking of the gift or if they are equally divided as to whether to revoke the gift. (c) A revocation under subsection (b) is effective only if, before an incision has been made to remove a part from the donor's body or before invasive procedures have begun to prepare the recipient, the procurement organization, transplant hospital, or physician or technician knows of the revocation. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-10 Anatomical gift recipients; unnamed recipients; anatomical gift uses; rules; delivery of anatomical gift documents; amendment; revocation

Sec. 10. (a) An anatomical gift may be made to the following persons named in the document of gift: (1) A hospital. (2) An accredited medical school, dental school, college, or university. (3) An organ procurement organization. (4) An appropriate person for research or education. (5) Subject to subsection (b), an individual designated by the person making the anatomical gift if the individual is the recipient of the part. (6) An eye bank. (7) A tissue bank. (b) If an anatomical gift to an individual under subsection (a)(5) cannot be transplanted into the individual, the part passes in accordance with subsection (g) in the absence of an express, contrary indication by the person making the anatomical gift. (c) If an anatomical gift of one (1) or more specific parts or of all parts is made in a document of gift that does not name a person described in subsection (a) but identifies the purpose for which an anatomical gift may be used, the following rules apply: (1) If the part is an eye and the gift is for the purpose of: (A) transplantation; (B) therapy; (C) education; or (D) research; the gift passes to the appropriate eye bank that has an agreement to recover donated eyes from patients who die within the hospital. The eye bank is considered to be the custodian of the donated eye. (2) If the part is tissue and the gift is for the purpose of: (A) transplantation; or (B) therapy; the gift passes to the appropriate tissue bank that has an agreement to recover donated tissue from patients that die within the hospital. The tissue bank is considered to be the custodian of the donated tissue. (3) If the part is an organ and the gift is for the purpose of: (A) transplantation; or (B) therapy; the gift passes to the appropriate organ procurement organization that has an agreement to recover donated organs from patients who die within the hospital. The procurement organization is considered to be the custodian of the donated organs. (4) If the part is an organ, an eye, or tissue from a patient who dies within a hospital and the gift is for the purpose of research or education, the gift passes to the appropriate procurement organization that has an agreement to recover donated organs, tissue, or eyes from patients who die within the hospital. (d) For the purpose of subsection (c), if there is more than one (1) purpose of an anatomical gift set forth in the document of gift but the purposes are not set forth in any priority, the gift must be used for transplantation or therapy, if suitable. If the gift cannot be used for transplantation or therapy, the gift may be used for research or education. (e) If an anatomical gift of one (1) or more specific parts is made in a document of gift that does not name a person described in subsection (a) and does not identify the purpose of the gift, the gift may be used only for transplantation, research, or therapy, and the gift passes in accordance with subsection (g). (f) If a document of gift specifies only a general intent to make an anatomical gift by words such as "donor", "organ donor", or "body donor", or by a symbol or statement of similar import, the gift may be used only for transplantation, research, or therapy, and the gift passes in accordance with subsection (g). (g) For purposes of subsections (b), (e), and (f), the following rules apply: (1) If the part is an eye, the gift passes to the appropriate eye bank. (2) If the part is tissue, the gift passes to the appropriate tissue bank. (3) If the part is an organ, the gift passes to the appropriate organ procurement organization as custodian of the organ. (h) An anatomical gift of an organ for transplantation, therapy, or research, other than an anatomical gift under subsection (a)(2), passes to the organ procurement organization as custodian of the organ. (i) If an anatomical gift does not pass pursuant to subsections (a) through (h) or the decedent's body or part is not used for transplantation, therapy, research, or education, custody of the body or part passes to the person under obligation to dispose of the body or part. (j) A person may not accept an anatomical gift if the person knows that the: (1) gift was not effectively made under section 4 or 9 of this chapter; or (2) decedent made a refusal under section 6 of this chapter that was not revoked. (k) For purposes of subsection (j), if a person knows that an anatomical gift was made on a document of gift, the person is considered to know of any amendment or revocation of the gift or any refusal to make an anatomical gift on the same document of gift. (l) If the gift is made by the donor to a specified donee, the will, card, or other document, or an executed copy thereof, may be delivered to the donee to expedite the appropriate procedures immediately after death. 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 it for safekeeping or for facilitation 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. (m) If the will, card, or other document, or 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; (2) an oral statement made in the presence of two (2) persons and communicated to the donee; (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 the decedent's person or in the decedent's effects. (n) 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 (m) or by destruction, cancellation, or mutilation of the document and all executed copies thereof. (o) 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 (m). (p) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a)(2), this chapter does not affect the allocation of organs for transplantation or therapy. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-11 Searches for documents of gift or refusal

Sec. 11. (a) The following persons shall make a reasonable search of an individual who the person reasonably believes is dead or near death in a hospital for a document of gift or other information identifying the individual as a donor or as an individual who made a refusal: (1) An organ procurement organization. (2) A tissue bank. (3) An eye bank. (4) 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 subsection (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 civil liability for failing to discharge the duties imposed by this section but may be subject to criminal liability or administrative sanctions. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-12 Petitions to determine anatomical gift or revocation of anatomical gift

Sec. 12. (a) The individual's attending physician, or, if none, the: (1) physician that certifies the individual's death; (2) hospital where the individual is admitted; (3) hospital where the individual's remains are being kept; or (4) individual identified in section 8(a) of this chapter; may petition a court with probate jurisdiction in the county where the remains of the individual who is the subject of the petition are located, or the county in which the individual died, for the information referred to in subsection (b). (b) A person identified in subsection (a) may petition the court with probate jurisdiction specified in subsection (a) to determine whether the individual: (1) made a written anatomical gift under section 4 of this chapter or IC 9-24-17; or (2) made a written revocation of an anatomical gift under section 5 of this chapter or under IC 9-24-17. (c) If the court with probate jurisdiction determines under subsection (b) that the individual made a written anatomical gift that was not subsequently revoked in writing by the individual, the court shall order that the anatomical gift of an organ, tissue, or an eye be recovered. (d) The court with probate jurisdiction may modify or waive notice and a hearing if the court determines that a delay would have a serious adverse effect on: (1) the medical viability of the individual; or (2) the viability of the individual's anatomical gift of an organ, tissue, or an eye. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-13 Organ or tissue donor queries for hospital patients

Sec. 13. (a) As used in this section: (1) "Administrator" means a hospital administrator or a hospital administrator's designee. (2) "Gift" means a gift of all or any part of the human body made under this chapter. (3) "Representative" means a person who is: (A) authorized under section 8 of this chapter to make a gift on behalf of a decedent; and (B) available at the time of the decedent's death when members of a prior class under section 8 of this chapter are unavailable. (b) An administrator of each hospital or the administrator's designee may ask each patient who is at least eighteen (18) years of age if the patient is an organ or a tissue donor or if the patient desires to become an organ or a tissue donor. (c) The governing board of each hospital shall adopt procedures to determine under what circumstances an administrator or an administrator's designee may ask a patient if the patient is an organ or a tissue donor or if the patient desires to become an organ or a tissue donor. (d) The administrator shall inform the representative of the procedures available under this chapter for making a gift whenever: (1) an individual dies in a hospital; (2) the hospital has not been notified that a gift has been authorized under section 4 of this chapter; and (3) a procurement organization determines that the individual's body may be suitable of yielding a gift. (e) If: (1) an individual makes an anatomical gift on the individual's driver's license or identification card under IC 9-24-17; and (2) the individual dies in a hospital; the person in possession of the individual's driver's license or identification card shall immediately produce the driver's license or identification card for examination upon request, as provided in section 10(l) of this chapter. (f) A gift made in response to information provided under this section must be signed by the donor or made by the donor's telegraphic, recorded telephonic, or other recorded message. (g) When a representative is informed under this section about the procedures available for making a gift, the fact that the representative was so informed must be noted in the decedent's medical record. (h) A person who fails to discharge the duties imposed by this section is not subject to civil liability but may be subject to criminal liability or administrative sanctions. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.1-2010, SEC.114.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-14 Documents of gift

Sec. 14. (a) A document of gift need not be delivered during the donor's lifetime to be effective. (b) Upon or after an individual's death, a person in possession of a document of gift or a refusal to make an anatomical gift with respect to the individual shall allow examination and copying of the document of gift or refusal by a person authorized to make or object to the making of an anatomical gift with respect to the individual or by a person to which the gift could pass under section 10 of this chapter. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-15 Hospital referrals to procurement organizations; record searches; examination of medical suitability; rights of person to whom a part passes

Sec. 15. (a) When a hospital refers an individual at or near death to a procurement organization, the organization shall make a reasonable search of the records of: (1) the bureau of motor vehicles; (2) the equivalent agency to the bureau of motor vehicles in another state; (3) the Indiana donor registry; and (4) any other registry that the organization knows exists for the geographical area in which the individual resides to ascertain whether the individual has made an anatomical gift. (b) A procurement organization must be allowed reasonable access to information in the records of the bureau of motor vehicles to ascertain whether an individual at or near death is a donor. (c) When a hospital refers an individual at or near death to a procurement organization, the organization may conduct any reasonable examination necessary to ensure the medical suitability of a part that is or could be the subject of an anatomical gift for transplantation, therapy, research, or education from a donor or a prospective donor. During the examination period, measures necessary to ensure the medical suitability of the part may not be withdrawn unless the hospital or procurement organization knows that the individual expressed a contrary intent. (d) Unless prohibited by law other than this chapter, at any time after a donor's death, the person to whom a part passes under section 10 of this chapter may conduct any reasonable examination necessary to ensure the medical suitability of the body or part for its intended purpose. (e) Unless prohibited by law other than this chapter, an examination under subsection (c) or (d) may include an examination of all medical and dental records of the donor or prospective donor. (f) Upon the death of a minor who was a donor or had signed a refusal, unless a procurement organization knows the minor is emancipated, the procurement organization shall conduct a reasonable search for the parents of the minor and provide the parents with an opportunity to revoke or amend the anatomical gift or revoke the refusal. (g) Upon referral by a hospital under subsection (a), a procurement organization shall make a reasonable search for any person listed in section 8 of this chapter having priority to make an anatomical gift on behalf of a prospective donor. If a procurement organization receives information that an anatomical gift to any other person was made, amended, or revoked, it shall promptly advise the other person of all relevant information. (h) Subject to section 10(i) of this chapter, IC 36-2-14-21, and IC 36-2-14-22.6, the rights of the person to whom a part passes under section 10 of this chapter are superior to the rights of all others with respect to the part, including a part from a person whose death within a hospital is under investigation by a coroner. The person may accept or reject an anatomical gift in whole or in part. Subject to the terms of the document of gift and this chapter, a person who accepts an anatomical gift of an entire body may allow embalming, burial or cremation, and use of remains in a funeral service. If the gift is of a part, the person to which the part passes under section 10 of this chapter, upon the death of the donor and before embalming, burial, or cremation, shall cause the part to be removed without unnecessary mutilation. (i) Neither the physician who attends the decedent at death nor the physician who determines the time of the decedent's death may participate in the procedures for removing or transplanting a part from the decedent. (j) A physician or technician may remove a donated part from the body of a donor that the physician or technician is qualified to remove. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-16 Hospital agreements with procurement organizations

Sec. 16. Each hospital in Indiana shall enter into agreements or affiliations with procurement organizations for coordination of procurement and use of anatomical gifts. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-17 Liability; immunity

Sec. 17. (a) A person who acts in accordance with this chapter is not liable for the act in a civil action or administrative proceeding. (b) Neither the person making an anatomical gift nor the donor's estate is liable for any injury or damage that results from the making or use of the gift. (c) In determining whether an anatomical gift has been made, amended, or revoked under this chapter, a person may rely upon representations of an individual listed in section 8(a)(2), 8(a)(3), 8(a)(4), 8(a)(5), 8(a)(7), 8(a)(8), or 8(a)(9) of this chapter relating to the individual's relationship to the donor or prospective donor unless the person knows that the representation is untrue. (d) A health care provider is immune from civil liability for following a donor's unrevoked anatomical gift directive under this chapter or IC 9-24-17. (e) A hospital or a recovery agency is immune from civil liability for determining in good faith and in compliance with this section that: (1) an individual made a written anatomical gift; or (2) an individual subsequently made a written revocation of an anatomical gift. (f) A person who, in good faith reliance upon a will, card, or other document of gift, and without actual notice of the amendment, revocation, or invalidity of the will, card, or document: (1) takes possession of a decedent's body or performs or causes to be performed surgical operations upon a decedent's body; or (2) removes or causes to be removed organs, tissues, or other parts from a decedent's body; is not liable in damages in any civil action brought against the donor for that act. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.26-2021, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-18 Validity of a document of gift

Sec. 18. (a) A document of gift is valid if executed in accordance with: (1) this chapter; (2) the laws of the state or country where it was executed; or (3) the laws of the state or country where the person making the anatomical gift was domiciled, has a place of residence, or was a national at the time the document of gift was executed. (b) If a document of gift is valid under this chapter, the law of this state governs the interpretation of the document of gift. (c) A person may presume that a document of gift or amendment of an anatomical gift is valid unless that person knows that it was not validly executed or was revoked. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-19 BMV, PLA, and DNR cooperation with donor registries; requirements of registry; personally identifiable information

Sec. 19. (a) The bureau of motor vehicles, the professional licensing agency, and the department of natural resources shall cooperate with a person that administers any donor registry that this state establishes, contracts for, or recognizes for the purpose of transferring to the donor registry all relevant information regarding a donor's making, amendment to, or revocation of an anatomical gift. (b) A donor registry must: (1) allow a donor or other person authorized under section 4 of this chapter to include on the donor registry a statement or symbol that the donor has made, amended, or revoked an anatomical gift; (2) be accessible to a procurement organization and to coroners to allow it to obtain relevant information on the donor registry to determine, at or near death of the donor or a prospective donor, whether the donor or prospective donor has made, amended, or revoked an anatomical gift; and (3) be accessible for purposes of subdivisions (1) and (2) seven (7) days a week on a twenty-four (24) hour basis. (c) Personally identifiable information on a donor registry about a donor or prospective donor may not be used or disclosed without the express consent of the donor, prospective donor, or person that made the anatomical gift for any purpose other than to determine, at or near death of the donor or prospective donor, whether the donor or prospective donor has made, amended, or revoked an anatomical gift. (d) This section does not prohibit any person from creating or maintaining a donor registry that is not established by or under contract with the state. Any such registry must comply with subsections (b) and (c). As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.11-2020, SEC.4; P.L.16-2022, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-20 Declarations and advance health care directives; procurement organizations

Sec. 20. (a) As used in this section: (1) "Advance health care directive" means a power of attorney for health care or a record signed by a prospective donor containing the prospective donor's direction concerning a health care decision for the prospective donor. (2) "Declaration" means a record signed by a prospective donor specifying the circumstances under which a life support system may be withheld or withdrawn from the prospective donor. (3) "Health care decision" means any decision made regarding the health care of the prospective donor. (b) If a prospective donor has a declaration or advance health care directive, unless the directive expressly states the contrary, hospitals must use measures necessary to allow a procurement agency to determine the medical suitability of an organ for transplantation or therapy by insuring that life support is not withdrawn from the prospective donor before consultation with the appropriate procurement agency to determine medical potential for donation. The procurement organization shall make every effort to determine donor potential within approximately two (2) hours from the time the procurement organization is contacted by the hospital. A hospital may, in accordance with a donor's declaration or advance health care directive, withdraw life support from the prospective donor if the procurement organization has not made a determination of donor potential within six (6) hours from the time the procurement organization is contacted by the hospital. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 29-2-16.1-21 Coroner cooperation with procurement organizations; postmortem examinations; removal of a part of organ from a decedent

Sec. 21. (a) A coroner shall cooperate with procurement organizations to maximize the opportunity to recover anatomical gifts for the purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, education, or training. (b) If a coroner receives notice from a procurement organization that an anatomical gift might be available or was made with respect to a decedent whose body is under the jurisdiction of the coroner and a postmortem examination is going to be performed, unless the coroner denies recovery in accordance with IC 36-2-14-22.6(f), the coroner or designee shall, when practicable, conduct a postmortem examination of the body or the part in a manner and within a period compatible with its preservation for the purposes of the gift. If a coroner conducts a postmortem examination outside of a compatible period, the coroner must document why examination occurred outside of a compatible period. It is considered sufficient documentation if the coroner documents that additional time was necessary to conduct an adequate medicolegal examination. (c) A part may not be removed from the body of a decedent under the jurisdiction of a coroner for transplantation, therapy, research, or education unless the part is the subject of an anatomical gift. The body of a decedent under the jurisdiction of the coroner may not be delivered to a person for research or education unless the body is the subject of an anatomical gift. This subsection does not preclude a coroner or pathologist from performing the medicolegal investigation upon the body or parts of a decedent under the jurisdiction of the coroner or from using the body or parts of a decedent under the jurisdiction of the coroner for the purposes of research, education, or training required by the coroner or pathologist. As added by P.L.147-2007, SEC.12.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/29Fetched: 10/17/2026