No. SB 1124
Filed under Public Health & Safety.
Public Records/Autopsy Reports of Certain Sudden and Unexpected deaths; Creating an exemption from public records requirements for autopsy reports of certain sudden and unexpected deaths; specifying circumstances under which such autopsy reports and certain information contained therein may be disclosed; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDAutopsy reports of an infant or child who dies suddenly and unexpectedly, or of anyone whose death is suspected to be Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome, become confidential and off-limits to public records requests once a medical examiner completes them.
The deceased's surviving parents and adult siblings can still view and copy the report. The Department of Health can also receive it for tracking disease patterns, and must keep it confidential too.
Deidentified or aggregate data drawn from these reports can still go to national research institutions, and identifiable health information can be shared with public health authorities under federal health privacy rules.
This exemption only takes effect if a separate bill, SB 188, also passes and becomes law this session, and it automatically expires on October 2, 2031 unless the Legislature specifically renews it.
AICreates a new public-records exemption making these autopsy reports confidential and exempt from both the public records law and the state constitutional right of access once a medical examiner holds them.
AICarves out an exception letting the deceased's surviving parents and adult siblings view and copy the otherwise-confidential autopsy report.
AISubjects the new exemption to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, so it is automatically repealed on October 2, 2031 unless the Legislature reviews it and specifically votes to keep it.
AIMakes this entire exemption contingent on a companion bill, SB 188 or similar legislation, passing in the same legislative session and becoming law; if that bill fails, this exemption never takes effect.
AIAllows the Department of Health to request and receive these autopsy reports for epidemiological research and tracking, but requires the department to preserve their confidential and exempt status once received.
AIPermits deidentified information and aggregate data drawn from these autopsy reports to be released to national research institutions for epidemiological research and tracking.