Iowa Code Title IV. Public Health [Chs. 123-158] § 144C.4. Reliance--immunities

1. A designee or third party who relies in good faith on a declaration is not subject to civil liability or to criminal prosecution or professional disciplinary action to any greater extent than if the designee or third party dealt directly with the declarant as a fully competent and living person.

2. A designee or third party who relies in good faith on a declaration may presume, in the absence of actual knowledge to the contrary, all of the following:

3. A third party who relies in good faith on a declaration is not subject to civil or criminal liability for the proper application of property delivered or surrendered in compliance with decisions made by the designee including but not limited to trust funds held pursuant to chapter 523A.

4. A third party who has reasonable cause to question the authenticity or validity of a declaration may promptly and reasonably seek additional information from the person proffering the declaration or from other persons to verify the declaration.

5. The state medical examiner or a county medical examiner shall not be subject to civil liability or to criminal prosecution or professional disciplinary action for releasing a decedent's remains to a person who is not a designee or alternate designee.

6. This section shall not be construed to impair any contractual obligations of a designee or third party incurred in fulfillment of a declaration.