Chapter
027
2008 -- S 2483
Enacted 06/12/08
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH
AND SAFETY -- OFFICE OF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINERS
Introduced By: Senator Dennis L. Algiere
Date
Introduced: February 13, 2008
It is
enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION
1. Section 23-4-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-4 entitled "Office of
State
Medical Examiners" is hereby amended to read as follows:
23-4-3.
Functions. -- The office of state medical examiners shall be
responsible for:
(1) The investigation of deaths within the state that in its judgment might
reasonably be
expected
to involve causes of death enumerated in this chapter;
(2) For the conduct of inquests when requested by the attorney general;
(3) For the performance of autopsies, including the retention, examination
and
appropriate
disposal of tissue, when appropriate,
for deaths which in its judgment might
reasonably
be expected to involve causes of deaths enumerated in this chapter;
(4) For the written determination of the causes of death investigated pursuant
to this
chapter;
(5) For the presentation to the courts of Rhode Island of expert testimony
relating to the
cause of
death;
(6) For the keeping of complete records, including names, places,
circumstances, and
causes
of deaths, of deaths investigated and reported, copies of which shall be
delivered to the
attorney
general and of which written determinations of causes of death shall be made
available
for
public inspection;
(7) For the burial of bodies for which there is no other existing legal
responsibility to do
so; and
(8) For the development and enforcement of procedures for the pronouncement of
death
and for
the transplantation of organs from bodies of persons who have died within the
state.
SECTION
2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC01759
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