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H.B. 61
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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 [
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19 (1) [
20 highway [
21 assumed if an autopsy is required h OR PERMITTED h under the provisions of Section 26-4-13 h OR
21a IF REQUESTED BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WITH JURISDICTION OVER THE HIGHWAY
21b ACCIDENT h ;
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) [
26 (5) [
27 (6) [
28 (7) [
29 the scope of the [
30 (8) [
31 (9) [
32 [
33 mentally ill [
34 (10) [
35 (11) [
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) [
41 (a) aid in the discovery and prosecution of [
42 (b) protect an innocent [
43 (c) disclose hazards to public health [
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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 [
48 Act [
49 (b) in other cases involving questions of civil liability h [
50 h [
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 h [
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.