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H.B. 61

             1     

MEDICAL EXAMINER AUTHORITY

             2     
2001 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Gary F. Cox

             5      This act modifies the Medical Examiner Act. This act requires the medical examiner to
             6      assume custody of a body involved in a highway accident in certain circumstances. The act
             7      sets forth the conditions under which an autopsy of the body may be performed. This act
             8      makes technical and conforming amendments. This act takes effect on July 1, 2001.
             9      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             10      AMENDS:
             11          26-4-7, as last amended by Chapter 289, Laws of Utah 1999
             12          26-4-13, as enacted by Chapter 126, Laws of Utah 1981
             13      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             14          Section 1. Section 26-4-7 is amended to read:
             15           26-4-7. Custody by medical examiner.
             16          Upon notification under Section 26-4-8 or investigation by the medical examiner's office,
             17      the medical examiner shall assume custody of [the] a deceased body [in all deaths that appear to
             18      be] if it appears that death was:
             19          (1) [deaths] by violence, gunshot, suicide, or accident[, except] unless the accident is a
             20      highway [accidents] accident. If the death was from a highway accident, custody shall only be
             21      assumed if an autopsy is required under the provisions of Section 26-4-13 ;
             22          (2) sudden death while in apparent good health;
             23          (3) unattended deaths, except that an autopsy may only be performed in accordance with
             24      the provisions of Subsection 26-4-9 (3);
             25          (4) [deaths] under suspicious or unusual circumstances;
             26          (5) [deaths] resulting from poisoning or overdose of drugs;
             27          (6) [deaths] resulting from diseases that may constitute a threat to the public health;

             28          (7) [deaths] resulting from disease, injury, toxic effect, or unusual exertion incurred within
             29      the scope of the [deceased's] decedent's employment;
             30          (8) [deaths] due to sudden infant death syndrome;
             31          (9) [deaths] resulting while the [deceased] decedent was in prison, jail, [in] police custody,
             32      [in] the state hospital, or in a detention or medical facility operated for the treatment of the
             33      mentally ill [or], emotionally disturbed, or delinquent persons;
             34          (10) [deaths] associated with diagnostic [and] or therapeutic procedures; [and] or
             35          (11) [deaths] described in this section when request is made to assume custody by a county
             36      or district attorney or law enforcement agency in connection with a potential homicide
             37      investigation or prosecution.
             38          Section 2. Section 26-4-13 is amended to read:
             39           26-4-13. Autopsies -- When authorized.
             40          (1) [Autopsies shall be performed] The medical examiner shall perform an autopsy to:
             41          (a) aid in the discovery and prosecution of [crimes, to] a crime;
             42          (b) protect an innocent [persons] person accused of a crime[, to]; and
             43          (c) disclose hazards to public health [by communicable diseases, occupational diseases,
             44      or by dangerous drugs, chemicals, or foods]. [Autopsies may also be performed]
             45          (2) The medical examiner may perform an autopsy:
             46          (a) to aid in the administration of civil justice in life and accident insurance problems in
             47      accordance with [the provisions of the Workmen's] Title 34A, Chapter 2, Workers' Compensation
             48      Act [and];
             49          (b) in other cases involving questions of civil liability[.]; and
             50          (c) in the case of a highway accident if:
             51          (i) the accident occurred during pursuit by a peace officer;
             52          (ii) the accident occurred within the scope of the decedent's employment;
             53          (iii) the medical examiner or the medical examiner's designated representative determines
             54      the body cannot be identified without examination; or
             55          (iv) the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the accident and the medical
             56      examiner or the medical examiner's designated representative agree:
             57          (A) the cause of death is unclear because external evidence of injury is not sufficient to
             58      explain the death; or

             59          (B) the circumstances regarding the accident or the death are unclear.
             60          Section 3. Effective date.
             61          This act takes effect on July 1, 2001.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-15-00 10:26 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

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