Panel approves consolidation of autopsy‑record provisions into Title 23, department says

Summary

Department witnesses told the House Human Services Committee that House Bill 1068 consolidates rules on autopsy reports, working papers and images into Chapter 23 of the North Dakota Century Code, clarifies who may receive records and preserves current confidentiality rules; committee recorded no opposition during the hearing.

Chairman Ruby opened the hearing on House Bill 1068, a department‑requested bill to amend and reenact Sections 23-01-05.5 and 44-04-18.18 of the North Dakota Century Code to clarify release and confidentiality rules for autopsy reports, working papers and photographs.

Kirby Krueger, director of Disease Control and Forensic Pathology with the Department of Health and Human Services, said the bill consolidates language so the State Forensic Examiner’s Office and its designee can consistently determine which records may be released and under what conditions. “Just at a high level, section 1 of this bill clarifies which records from the state forensic examiner's office are the forensic examiner officers offices designee can be released to and to whom and defines the conditions of the recent of the records,” Krueger said.

Krueger outlined specific changes: definitions for notes and working…

Panel approves consolidation of autopsy‑record provisions into Title 23, department says

Summary

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