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2008 SESSION

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HB 278 Decedent; identification of body by next of kin.

Introduced by: Vivian E. Watts | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS PASSED: (all summaries)

Identification of body by next of kin.  Provides that, upon the death of any person from trauma, injury, violence, poisoning, accident, suicide or homicide, or suddenly when in apparent good health, or when unattended by a physician, or in jail, prison, other correctional institution or in police custody, or who is a patient or resident of a state mental health or mental retardation facility, or suddenly as an apparent result of fire, or in any suspicious, unusual or unnatural manner, or the sudden death of any infant less than eighteen months of age whose death is suspected to be attributable to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), good faith efforts shall be made by such person or institution having custody of the dead body to identify and to notify the next of kin of the decedent.  This bill also requires that notification shall include informing the person presumed to be the next of kin that he has a right to have identification of the decedent confirmed without due delay and without being held financially responsible for any procedures performed for the purpose of the identification.  This bill also eliminates a provision requiring the person, institution or agent of such person or institution having custody of the dead body to attempt to obtain consent for removal of the pituitary or other organs, glands, eyes or tissues for use in transplants or therapy.


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