The original instrument was prepared by Angela Lockett De Jean. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared
by Ashley Menou.
DIGEST
SB 241 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Milkovich
Present law provides that autopsy reports prepared by the coroner or his designee are public records.
The coroner shall provide one copy of the autopsy report upon request by the next of kin at no charge
to the next of kin.
Proposed law provides that the coroner shall provide one copy of the autopsy report at no charge
upon request by the parent, sibling, child, grandchild, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, or next of kin if
there are none of the enumerated surviving relatives.
Present law provides that the coroner shall provide copies of the autopsy report at no charge to the
appropriate law enforcement agencies as requested.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that the coroner shall also provide copies of the records,
writings, and documents of any description in any way compiled, drafted or recorded in connection
with an autopsy at no charge to the appropriate law enforcement agencies as requested.
Present law provides that the public records fee for any other copy of an autopsy report shall be the
same as that charged by the registrar of vital records for the state for a death certificate.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that the records, writings, and documents of any
descriptions in any way compiled, drafted, or recorded in connection with an autopsy shall be
provided by the coroner to the enumerated relatives or next of kin upon payment of a reasonable
copying charge.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 13:5713(J))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the original bill
1. Removes records, writings, and documents of any description in any way compiled,
drafted, or recorded in connection with an autopsy from public records.
2. Changes the fee the coroner may assess certain relatives and next of kin for providing
copies of records, writings, and documents connected with an autopsy from no charge to a reasonable copying charge as provided in present law for the copying of heath
care information.