{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2983.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2983.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2983.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2983.3.html"}],"law_id":56394,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56394,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2983.3","catch_line":"Exclusions and limitations of advance directives","history":"2009, cc. 211, 268; 2010, c. 792.","full_text":"A\n\nThe absence of an advance directive by an adult patient shall not give rise to any presumption as to his intent to consent to or refuse any particular health care.B\n\nThe provisions of this article shall not apply to authorization of nontherapeutic sterilization, abortion, or psychosurgery.C\n\nIf any provision of a patient&#8217;s advance directive conflicts with the authority conferred by any emergency custody, temporary detention, involuntary admission, and mandatory outpatient treatment order set forth in Chapter 8 (&#xA7; 37.2-800 et seq.) of Title 37.2 or by any other provision of law, the provisions of the patient&#8217;s advance directive that create the conflict shall have no effect. However, a patient&#8217;s advance directive shall otherwise be given full effect.D\n\nThe provisions of this article, if otherwise applicable, may be used to authorize admission of a patient to a facility, as defined in &#xA7; 37.2-100, only if the admission is otherwise authorized under Chapter 8 (&#xA7; 37.2-800 et seq.) of Title 37.2.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":206484,"text":"The absence of an advance directive by an adult patient shall not give rise to any presumption as to his intent to consent to or refuse any particular health care.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":206485,"text":"The provisions of this article shall not apply to authorization of nontherapeutic sterilization, abortion, or psychosurgery.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":206486,"text":"If any provision of a patient&#8217;s advance directive conflicts with the authority conferred by any emergency custody, temporary detention, involuntary admission, and mandatory outpatient treatment order set forth in Chapter 8 (&#xA7; 37.2-800 et seq.) of Title 37.2 or by any other provision of law, the provisions of the patient&#8217;s advance directive that create the conflict shall have no effect. However, a patient&#8217;s advance directive shall otherwise be given full effect.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":206487,"text":"The provisions of this article, if otherwise applicable, may be used to authorize admission of a patient to a facility, as defined in &#xA7; 37.2-100, only if the admission is otherwise authorized under Chapter 8 (&#xA7; 37.2-800 et seq.) of Title 37.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14683,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health Care Decisions Act","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12759,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:19","permalink":{"id":242579,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14683,"identifier":"8","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8","url":"\/54.1\/III\/29\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12759,"edition_id":1,"name":"Medicine and Other Healing Arts","identifier":"29","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241933,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12759,"identifier":"29","token":"54.1\/III\/29","url":"\/54.1\/III\/29\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":77307,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2981","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/54.1-2981\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2981","metadata":false},{"id":56308,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2982","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-2982\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2982","metadata":false},{"id":57295,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2983","catch_line":"Procedure for making advance directive; notice to physician","url":"\/54.1-2983\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2983","metadata":false},{"id":61815,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2983.1","catch_line":"Participation in health care research","url":"\/54.1-2983.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2983.1","metadata":false},{"id":67924,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2983.2","catch_line":"Capacity; required determinations","url":"\/54.1-2983.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2983.2","metadata":false},{"id":56394,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2983.3","catch_line":"Exclusions and limitations of advance directives","url":"\/54.1-2983.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2983.3","metadata":false},{"id":62832,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2984","catch_line":"Suggested form of written advance directives","url":"\/54.1-2984\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2984","metadata":false},{"id":58882,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2985","catch_line":"Revocation of an advance directive","url":"\/54.1-2985\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2985","metadata":false},{"id":61746,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2985.1","catch_line":"Injunction; court-ordered health care","url":"\/54.1-2985.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2985.1","metadata":false},{"id":65220,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2986","catch_line":"Procedure in absence of an advance directive; procedure for advance directive without agent; no presumption; persons who may authorize health care for patients incapable of informed decisions","url":"\/54.1-2986\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2986","metadata":false},{"id":79852,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2986.1","catch_line":"Duties and authority of agent or person identified in \u00a7 54.1-2986","url":"\/54.1-2986.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2986.1","metadata":false},{"id":73438,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2986.2","catch_line":"Health care decisions in the event of patient protest","url":"\/54.1-2986.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2986.2","metadata":false},{"id":70254,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2987","catch_line":"Transfer of patient by physician who refuses to comply with advance directive or health care decision","url":"\/54.1-2987\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2987","metadata":false},{"id":61456,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2987.1","catch_line":"Durable Do Not Resuscitate Orders","url":"\/54.1-2987.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2987.1","metadata":false},{"id":78436,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2988","catch_line":"Immunity from liability; burden of proof; presumption","url":"\/54.1-2988\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2988","metadata":false},{"id":76186,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2988.1","catch_line":"Assistance with completing and executing advance directives","url":"\/54.1-2988.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2988.1","metadata":false},{"id":75997,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2989","catch_line":"Willful destruction, concealment, etc., of declaration or revocation; penalties","url":"\/54.1-2989\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2989","metadata":false},{"id":63401,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2989.1","catch_line":"Failure to deliver advance directive","url":"\/54.1-2989.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2989.1","metadata":false},{"id":83098,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2990","catch_line":"Medically unnecessary health care not required; procedure when physician refuses to comply with an advance directive or a designated person's health care decision; mercy killing or euthanasia prohibited","url":"\/54.1-2990\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2990","metadata":false},{"id":78993,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2991","catch_line":"Effect of declaration; suicide; insurance; declarations executed prior to effective date","url":"\/54.1-2991\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2991","metadata":false},{"id":74741,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2992","catch_line":"Preservation of existing rights","url":"\/54.1-2992\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2992","metadata":false},{"id":58521,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2993","catch_line":"Reciprocity","url":"\/54.1-2993\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2993","metadata":false},{"id":76420,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2993.1","catch_line":"Qualified advance directive facilitators; requirements for training programs","url":"\/54.1-2993.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2993.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":67924,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2983.2","catch_line":"Capacity; required determinations","url":"\/54.1-2983.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2983.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":62832,"structure_id":14683,"section_number":"54.1-2984","catch_line":"Suggested form of written advance directives","url":"\/54.1-2984\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2984","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2983.3\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2009. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?091+ful+CHAP0211\">211<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?091+ful+CHAP0268\">268<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2010, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0792\">792<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":76036,"section_number":"37.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-100\/"},{"id":76779,"section_number":"37.2-800","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026). Applicability of chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-800\/"}],"permalink":{"id":242601,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56394,"identifier":"54.1-2983.3","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2983.3","url":"\/54.1-2983.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2983.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2983.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Exclusions and limitations of advance directives","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2983.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> The absence of an <span class=\"dictionary\">advance directive<\/span> by an adult patient shall not give rise to any <span class=\"dictionary\">presumption<\/span> as to his <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to consent to or refuse any particular <span class=\"dictionary\">health care<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-206484\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-2983.3\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The provisions of this article shall not apply to authorization of nontherapeutic sterilization, abortion, or psychosurgery. <a id=\"paragraph-206485\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-2983.3\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> If any provision of a patient&#8217;s <span class=\"dictionary\">advance directive<\/span> conflicts with the authority conferred by any emergency <span class=\"dictionary\">custody<\/span>, temporary detention, involuntary admission, and mandatory outpatient treatment <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> set forth in Chapter 8 (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"(Effective July 1, 2026). Applicability of chapter\" href=\"\/37.2-800\/\">37.2-800<\/a> et seq.) of Title 37.2 or by any other provision of <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>, the provisions of the patient&#8217;s <span class=\"dictionary\">advance directive<\/span> that create the conflict shall have no effect. However, a patient&#8217;s <span class=\"dictionary\">advance directive<\/span> shall otherwise be given full effect. <a id=\"paragraph-206486\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-2983.3\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> The provisions of this article, if otherwise applicable, may be used to authorize admission of a patient to a facility, as defined in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/37.2-100\/\">37.2-100<\/a>, only if the admission is otherwise authorized under Chapter 8 (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"(Effective July 1, 2026). Applicability of chapter\" href=\"\/37.2-800\/\">37.2-800<\/a> et seq.) of Title 37.2. <a id=\"paragraph-206487\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-2983.3\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES (\u00a7 54.1-2983.3)\n\nA. The absence of an advance directive by an adult patient shall not give rise\nto any presumption as to his intent to consent to or refuse any particular\nhealth care.\n\nB. The provisions of this article shall not apply to authorization of\nnontherapeutic sterilization, abortion, or psychosurgery.\n\nC. If any provision of a patient&#8217;s advance directive conflicts with the\nauthority conferred by any emergency custody, temporary detention, involuntary\nadmission, and mandatory outpatient treatment order set forth in Chapter 8\n(&#xA7; 37.2-800 et seq.) of Title 37.2 or by any other provision of law, the\nprovisions of the patient&#8217;s advance directive that create the conflict\nshall have no effect. However, a patient&#8217;s advance directive shall\notherwise be given full effect.\n\nD. The provisions of this article, if otherwise applicable, may be used to\nauthorize admission of a patient to a facility, as defined in &#xA7; 37.2-100,\nonly if the admission is otherwise authorized under Chapter 8 (&#xA7; 37.2-800\net seq.) of Title 37.2.\n\nHISTORY: 2009, cc. 211, 268; 2010, c. 792.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}