Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-4.10-9. General provisions

(a) Death resulting from the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures pursuant to a durable power of attorney and in accordance with this chapter does not constitute, for any purpose, a suicide or homicide.

(b) The making of a durable power of attorney pursuant to § 23-4.10-3 does not affect in any manner the sale, procurement, or issuance of any policy of life insurance, nor does it modify the terms of an existing policy of life insurance. A policy of life insurance is not legally impaired or invalidated in any manner by the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures from an insured qualified patient, notwithstanding any term of the policy to the contrary.

(c) A person may not prohibit or require the execution of a durable power of attorney as a condition for being insured for, or receiving, health care services.

(d) This chapter creates no presumption concerning the intention of an individual who has revoked or has not executed a durable power of attorney with respect to the use, withholding, or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures in the event of a terminal condition.

(e) This chapter does not increase or decrease the right of a patient to make decisions regarding use of life-sustaining procedures so long as the patient is able to do so, or impair or supersede any right or responsibility that any person has to effect the withholding or withdrawal of medical care.

(f) This chapter does not condone, authorize, or approve mercy-killing or euthanasia.