Code of Federal Regulations Title 42. Public Health § 42.441.253 Sterilization of a mentally competent individual aged 21 or older

(a) The individual is at least 21 years old at the time consent is obtained;

(b) The individual is not a mentally incompetent individual;

(c) The individual has voluntarily given informed consent in accordance with all the requirements prescribed in §§ 441.257 and 441.258;  and

(d) At least 30 days, but not more than 180 days, have passed between the date of informed consent and the date of the sterilization, except in the case of premature delivery or emergency abdominal surgery. An individual may consent to be sterilized at the time of a premature delivery or emergency abdominal surgery, if at least 72 hours have passed since he or she gave informed consent for the sterilization. In the case of premature delivery, the informed consent must have been given at least 30 days before the expected date of delivery.