§ 90-602.  Routine search for donor information; notification of hospital; definitions as provided in the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the terms "anatomical gift," "document of gift," "donor," and "refusal" have the same meaning as in G.S. 130A-412.4.

(a1) The following persons may make a reasonable search of an individual who the person reasonably believes is dead or near death for a document of gift or other information identifying the individual as a donor or as an individual who made a refusal:

(1) A law enforcement officer,

(2) A firefighter,

(3) A paramedic, or

(4) Another official emergency rescuer finding the individual.

If a document of gift or a refusal is located by a search under this subsection and the individual or deceased individual to whom it relates is taken to a hospital, the person conducting the search shall send the document of gift or refusal to the hospital or cause it to be sent.

(a2) If no other source of information is immediately available, a hospital shall make a reasonable search of an individual who the hospital reasonably believes is dead or near death, as soon as practical after the individual arrives at the hospital, for a document of gift or other information identifying the individual as a donor or as an individual who made a refusal.

(b) Any law enforcement officer or other person listed in subsection (a1) or (a2) of this section may conduct an administrative search of the accident-trauma victim's Division of Motor Vehicles driver record to ascertain whether the individual is a donor. If a document of gift or a refusal is located by a search under this subsection and the individual or deceased individual to whom it relates is taken to a hospital, the person conducting the search shall notify the hospital of the results or cause the hospital to be notified.

(c) A physical search pursuant to subsection (a1) or (a2) of this section shall be limited to those personal effects of the individual where a drivers license reasonably may be stored. Any information, document, tangible objects, or other items discovered during the search shall be used solely for the purpose of ascertaining the individual's identity, notifying the individual's next of kin, and determining whether the individual intends to make an anatomical gift, and in no event shall any such discovered material be admissible in any subsequent criminal or civil proceeding, unless obtained pursuant to a lawful search on other grounds.

(d) A hospital or other person with duties under this section is not subject to criminal or civil liability for failing to discharge those duties but may be subject to administrative sanctions.

(e) A person that acts under this section with due care, or attempts in good faith to do so, is not liable for the act in a civil action, criminal prosecution, or administrative proceeding. (1997-443, s. 20.12(b); 2008-153, s. 1.)