Approval of court required before guardian may consent to certain treatment, experiment or commitment of ward; conditions for approval.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a guardian shall not consent to:
(a) The experimental, medical, biomedical or behavioral treatment of a ward;
(b) The sterilization of a ward;
(c) The participation of a ward in any biomedical or behavioral experiment; or
(d) The commitment of a ward to a mental health facility.
2. The guardian may consent to and commence any treatment, experiment or commitment described in subsection 1 if the guardian applies to and obtains from the court authority to consent to and commence the treatment, experiment or commitment.
3. The court may authorize the guardian to consent to and commence any treatment, experiment or commitment described in subsection 1 only if the treatment, experiment or commitment:
(a) Is of direct benefit to, and intended to preserve the life of or prevent serious impairment to the mental or physical health of, the ward; or
(b) Is intended to assist the ward to develop or regain the ward’s abilities.
Last modified: February 25, 2006