§ 4009. When power of attorney effective (a) A power of attorney is effective when executed unless the principal provides in the power of attorney that it becomes effective at a future date or upon the occurrence of a future event or contingency. (b) If a power of attorney becomes effective upon the occurrence of a future event or contingency, the principal, in the power of attorney, may authorize one or more persons to determine in a writing or other record that the event or contingency has occurred. (c) If a power of attorney becomes effective upon the principal’s incapacity or unavailability and the principal has not authorized a person to determine whether the principal is incapacitated or unavailable, or the person authorized is unable or unwilling to make the determination, the power of attorney becomes effective upon a determination in a writing or other record by: (1) a licensed health care professional working within the professional’s scope of practice, including a physician licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 23 or 33 and a psychologist licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 55, that the principal is incapacitated within the meaning of subdivision 4002(7)(A) of this chapter; or (2) an attorney at law, a judge, or an appropriate governmental official that the principal is unavailable within the meaning of 4002(7)(B) of this chapter. (d) A person authorized by the principal in the power of attorney to determine that the principal is incapacitated or unavailable may act as the principal’s personal representative pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; Sections 1171 through 1179 of the Social Security Act; 42 U.S.C. § 1320d, as amended; and applicable regulations to obtain access to the principal’s health-care information and communicate with the principal’s health-care provider.
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