SB 517
Clarifying deadlines for autopsy reports
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to clarify and standardize the timelines for completing and distributing autopsy reports in West Virginia. Specifically, it mandates that autopsies requested by law enforcement or court officials be conducted within 72 hours of the decedent’s arrival at the Chief Medical Examiner’s office. Furthermore, the report, including county-level investigations, must be provided to the prosecuting attorney within 24 hours of completion, and records are to be maintained and accessible to courts and relevant parties.
Key provisions
- Autopsies requested by law enforcement or court officials must be completed within 72 hours of the decedent’s arrival.
- A full autopsy report, including county-level investigations, must be provided to the prosecuting attorney within 24 hours of completion.
- The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner must maintain complete and indexed records of all deaths investigated.
- Copies of records can be furnished to courts and parties involved in legal proceedings.
- The Chief Medical Examiner can release autopsy and toxicology reports to hospitals and attending physicians for quality review.
- In cases of infant deaths suspected of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the Chief Medical Examiner must notify the SIDS program.
- If a drug overdose is suspected, the Chief Medical Examiner must notify the West Virginia Controlled Substances Monitoring Program Database Review Committee.
Who is affected
- Medical Examiners (Chief and County)
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours