ORS Chapter 127 — Powers of Attorney; Advance

ORS 127.510. Appointment of health care representative and alternate health care representative; duration. (1) A capable adult may execute an advance directive. The advance directive is effective when it is signed by the principal and witnessed or notarized as described in ORS 127.515. (2)(a) A capable adult may use a form appointing a health care representative to appoint a competent adult to serve as the health care representative for the capable adult. A health care representative appointed under this paragraph shall make health care decisions for the principal if the principal becomes incapable. (b) A capable adult may use a form appointing a health care representative to appoint one or more competent adults to serve as alternate health care representatives for the capable adult. For purposes of ORS 127.505 to 127.660, an alternate health care representative has the rights and privileges of a health care representative appointed under paragraph (a) of this subsection, including the rights described in ORS 127.535. An alternate health care representative appointed under this paragraph shall make health care decisions for the principal if: (A) The principal becomes incapable; and (B) The health care representative appointed under paragraph (a) of this subsection is unable, unwilling or unavailable to make timely health care decisions for the principal. (c) For purposes of paragraph (b) of this subsection, the health care representative appointed under paragraph (a) of this subsection is unavailable to make timely health care decisions for the principal if the health care representative is not available to answer questions for the health care provider in person, by telephone or by another means of direct communication. (d) An appointment made under this section is effective when it is accepted by the health care representative, as described in ORS 127.525. (3) Unless the period of time that an advance directive or a form appointing a health care representative is effective is limited by the terms of the advance directive or the form appointing a health care representative, the advance directive or the form appointing a health care representative continues in effect until: (a) The principal dies; or (b) The advance directive or the form appointing a health care representative is revoked, suspended or superseded pursuant to ORS 127.545. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (3) of this section, if the principal is incapable at the expiration of the term of the advance directive or the form appointing a health care representative, the advance directive or the form appointing a health care representative continues in effect until: (a) The principal is no longer incapable; (b) The principal dies; or (c) The advance directive or the form appointing a health care representative is revoked, suspended or superseded pursuant to the provisions of ORS 127.545. (5) A health care provider shall make a copy of an advance directive, a copy of a form appointing a health care representative and a copy of any other instrument a part of the principals medical record when a copy of the advance directive, form appointing a health care representative or instrument is provided to the principals health care provider. (6) Notwithstanding subsections (3)(a) and (4)(b) of this section, an advance directive remains in effect with respect to an anatomical gift, as defined in ORS 97.953, after the principal dies.