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Bill would let state forensic examiner share inmate autopsy reports with Department of Corrections
Summary
House Bill 11-16 would authorize the state forensic examiner to disclose autopsy reports to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation when the deceased was an inmate in county, regional or state correctional facilities; DOCR said access would speed inspections and allow targeted safety changes.
House Bill 11-16 would amend North Dakota law to allow the state forensic examiner to disclose copies of autopsy reports to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation when the deceased was an inmate in county, regional or state correctional facilities, Joseph Sharvitt, deputy director of facility inspections for DOCR, told the Senate Human Services Committee.
Sharvitt said timely access to autopsy reports helps DOCR inspectors determine causes of death and identify corrective steps. He offered an example: if an autopsy shows an opioid overdose, inspectors can focus on staff training about opioid signs and ensure Naloxone is available. Sharvitt said the statutory change would prevent autopsy reports from "sitting on somebody's desk for weeks" and would allow inspectors to act faster to improve facility safety.
Committee members asked whether facilities currently provide autopsy reports to the department; Sharvitt said facilities have historically provided them but the new language would authorize a direct disclosure from the state forensic examiner to DOCR and reduce delays. A county official on the record agreed delays have sometimes impeded timely inspections.
The committee approved a do-pass motion on House Bill 11-16. Senator Hogan moved the measure and Senator Van Osteen seconded. On roll call the committee voted 6-0 in favor (Senators Lee, Weston, Roars, Hogan, Van Osteen and Clemens). Senator Clemens volunteered to carry the bill forward.
