Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
a. If the patient has executed an instruction directive but has not designated a mental health care representative, or if neither the designated mental health care representative or any alternate designee is able or available to serve, the instruction directive shall be legally operative. If the instruction directive provides clear and unambiguous guidance under the circumstances, it shall be honored in accordance with its specific terms by a legally appointed guardian, if any, family member, mental health care professional and psychiatric facility involved with the patient's mental health care, and any other person acting on the patient's behalf, except as provided in subsection c. of this section.
b. If the instruction directive is, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, not specific to the patient's mental health condition and the treatment alternatives, the responsible mental health care professional, in consultation with a legally appointed guardian, if any, family member, or other person acting on the patient's behalf, shall exercise reasonable judgment to effectuate the wishes of the patient, giving full weight to the terms, intent and spirit of the instruction directive.
c. Departure from the specific provisions of the instruction directive shall be permitted only if the responsible mental health care professional determines that compliance with those terms or provisions would:
(1) violate the accepted standard of mental health care or treatment under the circumstances of the patient's mental health condition;
(2) require the use of a form of care or treatment that is not available to the mental health care professional responsible for the provision of mental health services to the patient;
(3) violate a court order or provision of statutory law; or
(4) endanger the life or health of the patient or another person.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - New Jersey Statutes Title 26. Health and Vital Statistics 26 § 2H-113 - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/nj/title-26-health-and-vital-statistics/nj-st-sect-26-2h-113/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)