Search and notification
Va. Code Ann. § 32.1-291.12
in effectA. The following persons shall make a reasonable search of an individual who the person reasonably believes is dead or whose death is imminent 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, a firefighter, emergency medical services personnel, or other emergency rescuer finding the individual; and
2. If no other source of the information is immediately available, a hospital, as soon as practical after the individual's arrival at the hospital.
B. If a document of gift or a refusal to make an anatomical gift is located by the search required by subdivision A 1 and the individual or deceased individual to whom it relates is taken to a hospital, the person responsible for conducting the search shall send the document of gift or refusal to the hospital.
C. A person is not subject to criminal or civil liability for failing to discharge the duties imposed by this section but may be subject to administrative sanctions.
2007, cc. 92 , 907 ; 2015, cc. 502 , 503 .
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/32.1-291.12/Fetched: 10/16/2026