1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) AN INDIVIDUAL INCAPABLE OF MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION
OVER THE OBJECTION OF ANOTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO CONSENT TO
THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

5-614. EFFECT OF DECLARATION; SUICIDE; INSURANCE; DECLARATIONS EXECUTED
PRIOR TO EFFECTIVE DATE.

(A)     THE WITHHOLDING OR WITHDRAWAL OF LIFE-SUSTAINING
PROCEDURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE SHALL
NOT, FOR ANY PURPOSE, CONSTITUTE A SUICIDE.

(B)     (1) THE MAKING OF AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE UNDER THIS SUBTITLE
DOES NOT AFFECT THE SALE, PROCUREMENT, OR ISSUANCE OF ANY POLICY OF LIFE
INSURANCE, NOR SHALL IT BE DEEMED TO MODIFY THE TERMS OF AN EXISTING
POLICY OF LIFE INSURANCE.

(2) A POLICY OF LIFE INSURANCE SHALL NOT BE LEGALLY IMPAIRED
OR INVALIDATED BY THE WITHHOLDING OR. WITHDRAWAL OF LIFE-SUSTAINING
PROCEDURES FROM AN INSURED PATIENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE,
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY TERM OF THE POLICY TO THE CONTRARY.

(C)     A PERSON MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO MAKE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE AS
A CONDITION FOR BEING INSURED FOR, OR RECEIVING, HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

(D)     ANY DECLARATION OF A PATIENT OR ANY DESIGNATION OF AN AGENT
MADE PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1, 1993 SHALL BE GIVEN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS
PROVIDED IN THIS SUBTITLE.

5-615. PROVISION OF INFORMATION.

(A) IN THIS SECTION, "HEALTH CARE FACILITY" HAS THE MEANING STATED IN §
19-101 OF THIS ARTICLE.

(B) EACH HEALTH CARE FACILITY SHALL PROVIDE EACH INDIVIDUAL ON
ADMITTANCE TO THE FACILITY INFORMATION CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF THE
INDIVIDUAL TO MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING THE RIGHT
TO ACCEPT OR REFUSE TREATMENT, AND THE RIGHT TO MAKE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE,
INCLUDING A LIVING WILL.

5-615 5-616. PRESERVATION OF EXISTING RIGHT; ADVANCE DIRECTIVES EXECUTED
BEFORE EFFECTIVE DATE.

(A) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE ARE CUMULATIVE WITH EXISTING
LAW REGARDING AN INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO CONSENT OR REFUSE TO CONSENT TO
MEDICAL TREATMENT AND DO NOT IMPAIR ANY EXISTING RIGHTS OR
RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, A PATIENT, INCLUDING A
MINOR OR INCOMPETENT PATIENT, OR A PATIENT'S FAMILY MAY HAVE IN REGARD
TO THE PROVISION, WITHHOLDING, OR WITHDRAWAL OF LIFE-SUSTAINING
PROCEDURES UNDER THE COMMON LAW OR STATUTES OF THE STATE:

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Ch. 372