PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 545

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Health - General
Section 5-603

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1994 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

5-603.

Health Care Decision Making Forms

The following forms allow you to make some decisions about future health care
issues. Form I, called a "Living Will", allows you to make decisions about life-sustaining
procedures if, in the future, your death from a terminal condition is imminent despite the
application of life-sustaining procedures or you are in a persistent vegetative state. Form
II, called an "Advance Directive", allows you to select a health care agent, give health
care instructions, or both. If you use the advance directive, you can make decisions about
life-sustaining procedures in the event of terminal condition, persistent vegetative state,
or end-stage condition. You can also use the advance directive to make any other health
care decisions.

These forms are intended to be guides. You can use one form or both, and you may
complete all or only part of the forms that you use. Different forms may also be used.

Please note: if you decide to select a health care agent that person may not be a
witness to your advance directive. Also, at least one of your witnesses may not be a person
who may financially benefit by reason of your death.

Form I Living Will

(Optional Form)

If I am not able to make an informed decision regarding my health care, I direct my
health care providers to follow my instructions as set forth below. (Initial those
statements you wish to be included in the document and cross through those statements
which do not apply.)

a. If my death from a terminal condition is imminent and even if life-sustaining
procedures are used there is no reasonable expectation of my recovery -

____ I direct that my life not be extended by life-sustaining procedures, including
the administration of nutrition and hydration artificially.

______ I direct that my life not be extended by life-sustaining procedures, except

that, if I am unable to take food by mouth, I wish to receive nutrition and hydration
artificially.

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