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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>82942</law_id><section_number>32.1-291.7</section_number><catch_line>Refusal to make anatomical gift; effect of refusal</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>32.1-291.11</reference><reference>32.1-291.2</reference><reference>32.1-291.9</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="32.1">Health</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="8">Postmortem Examinations and Services</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Anatomical Gifts</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> An individual may refuse to make an anatomical gift of the individual&#x2019;s body or part by: <a id="paragraph-297267" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> 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; <a id="paragraph-297268" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The individual&#x2019;s will, whether or not the will is admitted to probate or invalidated after the individual&#x2019;s death; or <a id="paragraph-297269" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Any form of communication made by the individual during the individual&#x2019;s terminal illness or injury addressed to at least two adults, at least one of whom is a disinterested <span class="dictionary">witness</span>. <a id="paragraph-297270" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A record signed pursuant to subdivision A 1 b shall: <a id="paragraph-297271" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Be witnessed by at least two adults, at least one of whom is a disinterested <span class="dictionary">witness</span>, who have signed at the request of the individual; and <a id="paragraph-297272" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> State that it has been signed and witnessed as provided in subdivision 1. <a id="paragraph-297273" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> An individual who has made a refusal may <span class="dictionary">amend</span> or revoke the refusal: <a id="paragraph-297274" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> In the manner provided in subsection A for making a refusal; <a id="paragraph-297275" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> By subsequently making an anatomical gift pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Manner of making anatomical gift before donor's death" href="/32.1-291.5/">32.1-291.5</a> that is inconsistent with the refusal; or <a id="paragraph-297276" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> By destroying or canceling the record evidencing the refusal, or the portion of the record used to make the refusal, with the <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to revoke the refusal. <a id="paragraph-297277" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Except as otherwise provided in subsection H of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Preclusive effect of anatomical gift, amendment, or revocation" href="/32.1-291.8/">32.1-291.8</a>, in the absence of an express, contrary indication by the individual set forth in the refusal, an individual&#x2019;s unrevoked refusal to make an anatomical gift of the individual&#x2019;s body or part bars all other <span class="dictionary">persons</span> from making an anatomical gift of the individual&#x2019;s body or part. <a id="paragraph-297278" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-291.7/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2007, cc. 92, 907.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
