2023 Code of Virginia › Title 32.1 - Health › Chapter 8 - Postmortem Examinations and Services › § 32.1-291.11. Persons that may receive anatomical gift; purpose of anatomical gift

A. An anatomical gift may be made to the following persons named in the document of gift:
1. A hospital; accredited medical school, dental school, or institution of higher education; organ procurement organization; or other appropriate person authorized by the Virginia Transplant Council, for research or education;
2. Subject to subsection B, an individual designated by the person making the anatomical gift if the individual is the recipient of the part; or
3. An eye bank or tissue bank.
B. If an anatomical gift to an individual under subdivision A 2 cannot be transplanted into the individual, the part passes in accordance with subsection G in the absence of an express, contrary indication by the person making the anatomical gift.
C. If an anatomical gift of one or more specific parts or of all parts is made in a document of gift that does not name a person described in subsection A but identifies the purpose for which an anatomical gift may be used, the following rules apply:
1. If the part is an eye and the gift is for the purpose of transplantation or therapy, the gift passes to the appropriate eye bank.
2. If the part is tissue and the gift is for the purpose of transplantation or therapy, the gift passes to the appropriate tissue bank.
3. If the part is an organ and the gift is for the purpose of transplantation or therapy, the gift passes to the appropriate organ procurement organization as custodian of the organ.
4. If the part is an organ, an eye, or tissue and the gift is for the purpose of research or education, the gift passes to the appropriate procurement organization.
D. For the purpose of subsection C, if there is more than one purpose of an anatomical gift set forth in the document of gift but the purposes are not set forth in any priority, the gift shall be used for transplantation or therapy, if suitable. If the gift cannot be used for transplantation or therapy, the gift may be used for research or education.
E. If an anatomical gift of one or more specific parts is made in a document of gift that does not name a person described in subsection A and does not identify the purpose of the gift, the gift may be used for transplantation, therapy, research and education, and the gift passes in accordance with subsection G. The gift shall be used first for transplantation or therapy, if suitable. If the gift cannot be used for transplantation or therapy, the gift may be used for research or education.
F. If a document of gift specifies only a general intent to make an anatomical gift by words such as "donor," "organ donor," or "body donor," or by a symbol or statement of similar import, the gift may be used for transplantation, therapy, research and education and the gift passes in accordance with subsection G. The gift shall be used first for transplantation or therapy, if suitable. If the gift cannot be used for transplantation or therapy, the gift may be used for research or education.
G. For purposes of subsections B, E, and F the following rules apply:
1. If the part is an eye, the gift passes to the appropriate eye bank.
2. If the part is tissue, the gift passes to the appropriate tissue bank.
3. If the part is an organ, the gift passes to the appropriate organ procurement organization as custodian of the organ.
H. An anatomical gift of an organ for transplantation, therapy, research or education other than an anatomical gift under subdivision A 2, passes to the organ procurement organization as custodian of the organ.
I. If an anatomical gift does not pass pursuant to subsections A through H or the decedent's body or part is not used for transplantation, therapy, research, or education, custody of the body or part passes to the surviving spouse, next of kin or other person under obligation to dispose of the body or part.
J. A person may not accept an anatomical gift if the person knows that the gift was not effectively made under § 32.1-291.5 or 32.1-291.10 or if the person knows that the decedent made a refusal under § 32.1-291.7 that was not revoked. For purposes of this subsection, if a person knows that an anatomical gift was made on a document of gift, the person is deemed to know of any amendment or revocation of the gift or any refusal to make an anatomical gift on the same document of gift.
K. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision A 2, nothing in this Act affects the allocation of organs for transplantation therapy, research or education.
2007, cc. 92, 907.