{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2987.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2987.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2987.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2987.html"}],"law_id":70254,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"1983, c. 532, \u00a7 54-325.8:7; 1988, c. 765; 1992, cc. 748, 772; 2000, cc. 590, 598; 2009, cc. 211, 268.","full_text":"An attending physician who refuses to comply with (i) a patient&#8217;s advance directive or (ii) the health care decision of a patient&#8217;s agent or (iii) the health care decision of an authorized person pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-2986 shall make a reasonable effort to transfer the patient to another physician and shall comply with \u00a7 54.1-2990.\n\t\tThis section shall apply even if the attending physician determines the health care requested to be medically or ethically inappropriate.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":253676,"text":"An attending physician who refuses to comply with (i) a patient&#8217;s advance directive or (ii) the health care decision of a patient&#8217;s agent or (iii) the health care decision of an authorized person pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-2986 shall make a reasonable effort to transfer the patient to another physician and shall comply with \u00a7 54.1-2990.\n\t\tThis section shall apply even if the attending physician determines the health care requested to be medically or ethically inappropriate.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2987\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1983. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 532 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. Unfortunately, the 1983 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapter 765; in 1992, chapters 748 and 772; in 2000, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0590\">590<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0598\">598<\/a>; in 2009, 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>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":65220,"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","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2986\/"},{"id":83098,"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","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2990\/"}],"permalink":{"id":242629,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70254,"identifier":"54.1-2987","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2987","url":"\/54.1-2987\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2987\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/8\/54.1-2987","dublin_core":{"Title":"Transfer of patient by physician who refuses to comply with advance directive or health care decision","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2987","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>An <span class=\"dictionary\">attending physician<\/span> who refuses to comply with (i) a patient&#8217;s <span class=\"dictionary\">advance directive<\/span> or (ii) the <span class=\"dictionary\">health care<\/span> decision of a patient&#8217;s <span class=\"dictionary\">agent<\/span> or (iii) the <span class=\"dictionary\">health care<\/span> decision of an authorized person pursuant to \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"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\" href=\"\/54.1-2986\/\">54.1-2986<\/a> shall make a reasonable effort to transfer the patient to another physician and shall comply with \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Medically unnecessary health care not required; procedure when physician refuses to comply with an advance directive or a designated person&#039;s health care decision; mercy killing or euthanasia prohibited\" href=\"\/54.1-2990\/\">54.1-2990<\/a>.\n\t\tThis section shall apply even if the <span class=\"dictionary\">attending physician<\/span> determines the <span class=\"dictionary\">health care<\/span> requested to be medically or ethically inappropriate.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTRANSFER OF PATIENT BY PHYSICIAN WHO REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH ADVANCE DIRECTIVE OR\nHEALTH CARE DECISION (\u00a7 54.1-2987)\n\nAn attending physician who refuses to comply with (i) a patient&#8217;s advance\ndirective or (ii) the health care decision of a patient&#8217;s agent or (iii)\nthe health care decision of an authorized person pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-2986 shall\nmake a reasonable effort to transfer the patient to another physician and shall\ncomply with \u00a7 54.1-2990.\n\t\tThis section shall apply even if the attending physician determines the health\ncare requested to be medically or ethically inappropriate.\n\nHISTORY: 1983, c. 532, \u00a7 54-325.8:7; 1988, c. 765; 1992, cc. 748, 772; 2000,\ncc. 590, 598; 2009, cc. 211, 268.","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}}