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When health care power of attorney operative - 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5454

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     § 5454.  When health care power of attorney operative.
        (a)  When operative.--Unless otherwise specified in the
     health care power of attorney, a health care power of attorney
     becomes operative when:
            (1)  a copy is provided to the attending physician; and
            (2)  the attending physician determines that the
        principal is incompetent.
        (b)  When inoperative.--Unless otherwise specified in the
     health care power of attorney, a health care power of attorney
     becomes inoperative during such time as, in the determination of
     the attending physician, the principal is competent.
        (c)  Invalidity of specific direction.--If a specific
     direction in the health care power of attorney is held to be
     invalid, the invalidity does not negate other directions in the
     health care power of attorney that can be effected without the
     invalid direction.
        (d)  Duration.--Unless the health care power of attorney
     states a time of termination, it is valid until revoked by the
     principal or the principal's guardian of the person,
     notwithstanding the lapse of time since its execution.
        (e)  Court approval unnecessary.--A health care decision made
     by a health care agent for a principal is effective without
     court approval.

        Cross References.  Section 5454 is referred to in section
     5456 of this title.

Last modified: November 27, 2007