Notwithstanding any other law, a pronouncement of death under this subtitle shall be used for all purposes in this State, including the trials of civil and criminal cases.

An individual is dead if, based on ordinary standards of medical practice, the individual has sustained either: Irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions; or Irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem. This subsection does not apply to the removal of a vital organ while the individual is alive, if the individual gives informed consent to the removal. A pronouncement of death under this section shall be made before any vital organ is removed for transplantation.