RDCSB241 3643 5139
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
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.
Proposed law adds that the provisions of proposed law shall not apply to the decedent's
medical records.
Proposed law provides that records, writings, and documents in any way compiled, drafted,
or recorded in connection with an autopsy generated by a public entity other than a coroner
shall be obtained from the public entity generating those records, writings, and documents.
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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
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The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the
engrossed bill:
1. Add that the provisions of proposed law shall not apply to the decedent's medical
records.
2. Add that records, writings, and documents in any way compiled, drafted, or
recorded in connection with an autopsy generated by a public entity other than
a coroner shall be obtained from the public entity generating those records,
writings, and documents.
3. Make technical amendments.
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