Bill > S02510

This bill establishes the Terry Cooper autopsy accountability act, which requires coroners, coroner's physicians, and medical examiners to include comprehensive documentation in autopsy reports for deaths of incarcerated individuals and certain other specific populations. Specifically, the bill mandates that autopsy reports must now include all photographs of the body, microscopic slides, and post-mortem x-rays that were either taken by the person performing the autopsy, taken at their direction, or reviewed by them during the examination or diagnosis of the cause and manner of death. The legislation amends existing county law to ensure greater transparency and accountability in forensic reporting, particularly for deaths occurring in correctional facilities or in facilities operated by various state agencies. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law and will apply to all autopsies conducted on or after that date. This new requirement aims to provide more detailed and comprehensive documentation of autopsy findings, potentially helping to improve investigation processes and provide more thorough information about the circumstances of a person's death.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S2510