For purposes of this chapter, the term, written, informed consent, consists of a signed writing executed by the patient, parent, or legal guardian, if the patient is a minor, or substitute informed consent from an appointed guardian, an attorney-in-fact, or a person with authority pursuant to chapter 34-12C, if the patient is incapacitated as defined in § 34-12C-1, and attested to by the treating physician, that:

(1) Explains the currently approved products and treatments for the disease or condition from which the patient suffers;

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 34-51-3

  • Attorney-in-fact: A person who, acting as an agent, is given written authorization by another person to transact business for him (her) out of court.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
  • written: include typewriting and typewritten, printing and printed, except in the case of signatures, and where the words are used by way of contrast to typewriting and printing. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2

(2) Attests to the fact that the patient concurs with his or her treating physician that no current United States Food and Drug Administration approved treatment would likely prolong the patient’s life;

(3) Clearly identifies the specific proposed investigational drug, biological product, or device that the patient is seeking to use;

(4) Describes the potential outcomes of using investigational drug, biological product, or device. The description shall include any possibility of worsening symptoms and death hastened by the treatment;

(5) Contains a statement that the patient’s health insurance carrier is not obligated to pay for any care or treatments consequent to the use of the investigational drug, biological product, or device;

(6) Makes clear that the patient’s eligibility for hospice care may be withdrawn if the patient begins curative treatment with the investigational drug, biological product, or device and that care may be reinstated if this treatment ends and patient meets hospice eligibility requirements; and

(7) Makes clear that the patient understands that he or she is liable for all expense consequent to the use of the investigational drug, biological product, or device.

Source: SL 2015, ch 188, § 3.