Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
Children & Family Services Committee |
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HB 1223
Brief Description: Placing jurisdiction over deceased minors with the county coroner.
Sponsors: Representatives Dickerson, Kagi, Chase, Cody and Lovick.
Brief Summary of Bill |
• Authorizes the coroner to have jurisdiction, and the department of social and health services to be notified and given access to records, in all cases involving the death of a minor. |
Hearing Date: 1/29/03
Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).
Background:
In Washington, the county coroner has jurisdiction of bodies of all deceased persons who come to their death through a variety of circumstances. The coroner may authorize an autopsy or post mortem in any case in which the coroner has jurisdiction over the body. Records of the autopsies or postmortems are confidential and may only be released to those parties authorized by statute. The Department is not currently among the list of those authorized to receive reports and records of autopsies and postmortems.
Summary of Bill:
Cases in which the deceased is a minor are included in the list of circumstances where the county coroner is given jurisdiction over bodies of the deceased person.
The county coroner must promptly notify the Department that the coroner has received notice of a minor's death.
The Department is added to the list of parties who may examine and obtain reports and records of autopsies and postmortems.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 26, 2003.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.