State Laws and Legislation

Connecticut Healthcare Laws

Under Connecticut law, if there is no living will or advance health care directive appointing a "healthcare representative" in place, the attending physician, in certain circumstances, is required to determine the patient’s wishes "by consulting any statement made by the patient directly to the attending physician and, if available …the patient's next of kin…" § 19a-571. Under Connecticut law, civil union partners are included as "next of kin".

Any adult may execute ad advance health care directive. A directive must be dated and requires two witnesses to the declarant’s signature. § 19a-576.

Civil unions in Connecticut are defined by § 46b-38aa et seq.

Citation: Removal of Life Support Systems: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 19a-570 to 19a-580d

Updated: Thu, May 01, 2008 - 11:00:16