Chapter 143

2010 -- H 7417 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 06/25/10

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MEDICAL EXAMINERS

          

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, M Rice, Kennedy, and E Coderre

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2010

     

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.

      (9) For a multi-disciplinary team review of child fatalities with the goal to decrease the

prevalence of preventable child deaths and report recommendations for community and systems

intervention strategies. A child death review team shall include, but is not limited to,

representation from state agencies, health care, child welfare, and law enforcement.

 

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01128/SUB A

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