Senate Bill 367 - Medical consent for those without decision making capacity

Senate Bill 367, which addresses a process for consent for surgical or medical treatment for a patient who 1) does not have decision making capacity and 2) who lacks a family member or other surrogate authorized under Georgia law, has been signed by the Governor and will go into effect July 1, 2010. The full article can be found in the attachment below. The full text of the bill can be found online: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10pdf/sb367.pdf

Attached is a draft template for an acknowledgement form (as referenced in Senate Bill 367 - page 2, lines 47 and following) for any adult friend who is willing to provide consent for medical or surgical treatment in the absence of authorized family members.  Thanks to Tara Adyanthaya, Associate General Counsel at Emory University, for drafting this form.