HB 2197
Initials AG/JB Page 1 Health & Human Services
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
HB 2197: medical examiner; pathologist assistant; autopsies
Sponsor: Representative Osborne, LD 13
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Allows county medical examiners to authorize a pathologist assistant to perform autopsies under
the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Restricts a pathologist assistant from certifying a
cause of death or independently performing an autopsy. Defines pathologist assistant.
History
A county medical examiner or alternative medical examiner will direct a death investigation and
on a determination that the circumstances of death provide jurisdiction, they may perform certain
duties as outlined in statute.
A county medical examiner may authorize a forensic pathologist to perform examinations and
autopsies. The medical examiner or alternative medical examiner may authorize medical students
or residents and fellows in pathology training to perform autopsies under the supervision of a
licensed physician who is board certified in forensic pathology pursuant to procedures adopted
by the county medical examiner or alternative medical examiner (A.R.S. § 11-594).
A sunrise application was submitted on October 29, 2021, requesting the expansion of the scope
of practice of county medical examiners and alternate medical examiners to authorize pathologist
assistants to perform autopsies under supervision.
Provisions
1. Allows a county medical examiner or alternative medical examiner to authorize a pathologist
assistant to assist with performing autopsies while under the direct supervision of a licensed
physician who is board certified in forensic pathology. (Sec. 2)
2. Prohibits a pathologist assistant from certifying a cause of death or independently performing
an autopsy. (Sec. 2)
3. Defines pathologist assistant as a person certified as a pathologist assistant who has
graduated from a pathologist assistant training program approved by a national accrediting
agency for clinical laboratory sciences. (Sec. 1)
4. Deletes terms. (Sec. 1)
5. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note