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Panel reviews S210 changes on court access to autopsy reports, removes prosecutor veto
Summary
The committee reviewed S210, which creates a judicial petition process to access autopsy reports and removes language granting a state's attorney a veto; instead, judges would weigh factors including whether disclosure would interfere with ongoing criminal investigations.
The Senate Health & Welfare Committee reviewed S210, a bill that updates the process for obtaining autopsy reports when HIPAA or privacy rules would otherwise block access.
Legislative counsel explained that language originally allowing a state's attorney to block a court-ordered release has been removed. Instead, the revised bill adds a set of factors judges should weigh, including whether disclosure would interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation. The draft also clarifies that petitioners may refile if there is a material change in information after an initial denial.
Committee members signaled they had no major objections to the House changes and the chair said the committee would seek concurrence with the House language. No final vote occurred; staff said they would post the updated language and proceed per standard concurrence procedures.
