Purpose.
The purpose of this subchapter is to affirm the right of all competent adults to control decisions relating to their own health care and to have their rights and intentions in health care matters respected and implemented by others if they become incapable of making or communicating decisions for themselves. As to equal protection, assisted suicide ban, right to withdraw life-sustaining medical treatment, see Vacco v. Quill, U.S.N.Y. 1997, 117 S.Ct. 2293, 521 U.S. 793, 138 L.Ed.2d 834, concurring opinion 117 S.Ct. 2302, 521 U.S. 702, 138 L.Ed.2d 772 (1990). As to life sustaining treatment, termination of treatment, due process, termination of nutrition and hydration, clear and convincing evidence standard, and substituted judgment of family members, see Cruzan by Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Dept. of Health, U.S.Mo. 1990, 110 S.Ct. 2841, 497 U.S. 261, 111 L.Ed.2d 224 (1990).
Annotations
Mar. 16, 1989, D.C. Law 7-189, § 2, 35 DCR 8653 Feb. 5, 1994, D.C. Law 10-68, § 23(b), 40 DCR 6311 Mar. 24, 1998, D.C. Law 12-81, § 14(y), 45 DCR 745 Feb. 27, 2016, D.C. Law 21-72, § 2(c)(1), 63 DCR 208 The 2016 amendment by D.C. Law 21-72 substituted “subchapter” for “chapter.” 1981 Ed., § 21-2201.
Sourced from the DC Council Open Law Library (public domain).
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