§ Â 2221. Devolution of rights.

Where consistent with the nature of each right in § 2220 of this title and unless otherwise provided by state or federal law, all of such rights, particularly as they pertain to a person adjudicated incompetent in accordance with state law, or a patient who is found physically or mentally incapable by the patient’s own attending physician, or a patient who is unable to communicate with others, or a minor under the age of 18 years who does not consent to treatment under this chapter, shall devolve to the patient’s next of kin, legal guardian, legal custodian, relative caregiver, parents, representative, sponsoring agency or representative payee (except where the facility itself is the representative payee) selected pursuant to § 205(j) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 405(j)].