Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 20 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE (§§ 20-2-101 — 20-86-113) › Subtitle 2 - HEALTH AND SAFETY (§§ 20-6-101 — 20-38-113) › Chapter 9 - HEALTH FACILITIES AND SERVICES GENERALLY (§§ 20-9-101 — 20-9-1504) › Subchapter 6 - CONSENT TO TREATMENT (§§ 20-9-601 — 20-9-606) › Section 20-9-604 - Consent given by court in emergency

(a)
(1)
Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, consent may be given by a court when:
(A)
An emergency exists;
(B)
There has been a protest or refusal of consent by a person authorized and empowered to do so; and
(C)
There is no other person immediately available who is authorized, empowered, or capable of consent.
(2)
The consent shall be given upon the presentation of a petition accompanied by the written advice or certificate of one (1) or more licensed physicians that in their professional opinion there is an immediate or imminent necessity for medical or surgical treatment or procedures.
(3)
Any circuit judge may summarily grant injunctive and declaratory relief ordering and directing that the necessary surgical or medical treatment or procedures be rendered, provided that the affected person is:
(A)
A pregnant female in the last trimester of pregnancy;
(B)
A person of insufficient age or mental capacity to understand and appreciate the nature of the proposed surgical or medical treatment and the probable consequences of refusal of the treatment; or
(C)
A parent of a minor child, provided that the court in its discretion finds that the life or health of the parent is essential to the child's financial support or physical or emotional well-being.
(b)
Any circuit judge granting the declaratory and injunctive relief directing the provision of surgical or medical treatment or procedures pursuant to this section shall be immune from liability based on any claim that the surgical or medical treatment or procedures for the affected person should not have been administered.
(c)
The reasonable expense incurred for emergency surgical or medical treatment or procedures administered pursuant to this section shall be borne by:
(1)
The estate of the person affected;
(2)
Any person liable at law for the necessities of the person affected; or
(3)
If the estate or person is unable to pay, the county of residence of the person receiving the surgical or medical care.
(d)
Upon request of an attending physician, any other licensed physician, or a representative of a hospital to which a patient has been admitted or presented for treatment, it shall be the duty of the prosecuting attorney, or his or her designee, of the county in which the surgical or medical care is proposed to be rendered to give his or her assistance in the presentation of the petition, with medical advice or certificate, and in obtaining an order from the court of proper jurisdiction.
(e)
(1)
Consent may be given by a court when an emergency exists and there is no one immediately available who is authorized, empowered to, or capable of consent for a person of unsound mind or there has been a subsequent material and morbid change in the condition of the affected person who is in the custody of the Division of Correction or the Division of Community Correction.
(2)
The consent shall be given upon the presentation of a petition accompanied by the written advice or certificate of one (1) or more licensed physicians that in their professional opinion there is an immediate or imminent necessity for medical or surgical treatment or procedures.
(3)
Any circuit judge may summarily grant injunctive and declaratory relief ordering and directing that the necessary surgical or medical treatment or procedures be rendered.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 997, eff. 7/1/2019.
Acts 1977, No. 805, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 82-364.1; Acts 1997, No. 875, § 2.