Declaration of death

An individual who has sustained either: 1. irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, or 2. irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, is dead. A determination of death must be made in accordance with accepted medical standards; provided however all reasonable attempts to restore spontaneous circulatory or respiratory functions shall first be made, prior to such declaration. Added by Laws 1986, c. 262, § 2.