A. Subject to subsections B and C and unless barred by § 32.1-291.7 or 32.1-291.8, an anatomical gift of a decedent‘s body or part for purpose of transplantation, therapy, research, or education may be made by any member of the following classes of persons who is reasonably available, in the order of priority listed:

Terms Used In Virginia Code 32.1-291.9

  • Adult: means a person 18 years of age or more. See Virginia Code 1-203
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Person: means an individual, corporation, partnership, or association or any other legal entity. See Virginia Code 32.1-3

1. An agent of the decedent at the time of death who could have made an anatomical gift under subdivision 2 of § 32.1-291.4 immediately before the decedent’s death;

2. The persons who were acting as the guardians of the person of the decedent at the time of death;

3. The spouse of the decedent;

4. Adult children of the decedent;

5. Parents of the decedent;

6. Adult siblings of the decedent;

7. Adult grandchildren of the decedent;

8. Grandparents of the decedent;

9. An adult who exhibited special care and concern for the decedent; and

10. Any other person having the authority to dispose of the decedent’s body.

B. If there is more than one member of a class listed in subdivisions A 1, A 2, A 4, A 5, A 6, A 7, or A 8 entitled to make an anatomical gift, an anatomical gift may be made by a member of the class unless that member or a person to which the gift may pass under § 32.1-291.11 knows of an objection by another member of the class. If an objection is known, the gift may be made only by those members who constitute at least 50 percent of the class who are reasonably available.

C. A person may not make an anatomical gift if, at the time of the decedent’s death, a person in a prior class under subsection A is reasonably available to make or to object to the making of an anatomical gift.

2007, cc. 92, 907.