Bill > SB517

This bill clarifies that when a prosecuting attorney or judge requests an autopsy, it must be conducted within 72 hours of the decedent being received by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, provided the body is already in their possession. The bill also specifies that within 24 hours of an autopsy's completion, a copy of the report, along with any death investigation reports from the county medical examiner, must be sent to the prosecuting attorney of the county where the death occurred or where any contributing injury was sustained. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is required to maintain comprehensive records of all investigated deaths and autopsy findings, and copies of these records can be provided to prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement officers, courts, and parties involved in legal cases where the cause of death is a material issue, with certain exceptions for criminal proceedings and reimbursement for costs. Additionally, the bill outlines circumstances under which the Chief Medical Examiner can release autopsy and investigation records to multidisciplinary teams, other state agencies, hospitals for quality review, attending physicians for medical record completion, and the West Virginia Controlled Substances Monitoring Program Database Review Committee in cases of drug overdose deaths.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=517&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill