S.B. 13

1

MEDICAL EXAMINER AMENDMENTS
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Allen M. Christensen
5 House Sponsor: Paul Ray
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 Committee Note:
9 The Health and Human Services Interim Committee recommended this bill.
10 General Description:
11 This bill amends provisions in the Health Code related to the duties of the state medical
12 examiner's office when the death appears to be the result of a highway accident.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This bill:
15 . requires the state medical examiner to assume custody of a body when it appears
16 that the death is the result of a highway accident.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 This bill appropriates:
19 . $368,700 from the General Fund, Ongoing, for fiscal year 2012-13, to the
20 Department of Health - Medical Examiner's Office.
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 AMENDS:
25 26-4-7, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 366
26
27 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

28 Section 1. Section 26-4-7 is amended to read:
29 26-4-7. Custody by medical examiner.
30 Upon notification under Section 26-4-8 or investigation by the medical examiner's
31 office, the medical examiner shall assume custody of a deceased body if it appears that death
32 was:
33 (1) by violence, gunshot, suicide, or accident [unless the accident is a highway
34 accident. If the death was from a highway accident, custody shall only be assumed if an
35 autopsy is required or permitted under the provisions of Section 26-4-13 or if requested by the
36 law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the highway accident];
37 (2) sudden death while in apparent good health;
38 (3) unattended deaths, except that an autopsy may only be performed in accordance
39 with the provisions of Subsection 26-4-9 (3);
40 (4) under suspicious or unusual circumstances;
41 (5) resulting from poisoning or overdose of drugs;
42 (6) resulting from diseases that may constitute a threat to the public health;
43 (7) resulting from disease, injury, toxic effect, or unusual exertion incurred within the
44 scope of the decedent's employment;
45 (8) due to sudden infant death syndrome;
46 (9) resulting while the decedent was in prison, jail, police custody, the state hospital, or
47 in a detention or medical facility operated for the treatment of persons with a mental illness,
48 persons who are emotionally disturbed, or delinquent persons;
49 (10) associated with diagnostic or therapeutic procedures; or
50 (11) described in this section when request is made to assume custody by a county or
51 district attorney or law enforcement agency in connection with a potential homicide
52 investigation or prosecution.
53 Section 2. Appropriation.
54 Under the terms and conditions of Utah Code Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary
55 Procedures Act, the following sums of money are appropriated from the funds or fund accounts
56 indicated for the use and support of the government of the State of Utah for the fiscal year
57 beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013.
58 To Department of Health, Disease Control and Prevention

59 From the General Fund $368,700
60 Schedule of Programs:
61 Medical Examiner's Office $283,300
62 Forensic Toxicology $85,400




Legislative Review Note
as of 10-26-11 10:04 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel