Bill > H614

This bill, named the Michael Mitchke F.I.N.E. Law, amends the existing North Carolina General Statutes to require a mandatory autopsy in any fire incident where human remains are discovered. Specifically, the bill adds a fourth circumstance to the existing legal provisions governing when autopsies must be performed, mandating that a complete autopsy be conducted in fire-related cases involving human remains. The new requirement will be added to the current statute that outlines the Chief Medical Examiner's responsibilities for performing autopsies, which previously allowed autopsies at the discretion of medical examiners, upon request by district attorneys or judges, or in cases with probable cause of certain criminal violations. The bill will become effective on October 1, 2025, and will apply to cases arising on or after that date, ensuring that fire-related incidents with human remains will receive a comprehensive forensic investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of death.

Government Affairs, Justice, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H614