AL SB9

Medical examiners in Alabama counties, including those employed by the Department of Forensic Sciences, must notify next of kin through law enforcement when retaining a deceased person's organ or organs for additional testing needed to determine identification, cause, or manner of death.

Medical examiners are prohibited from retaining a deceased person's entire organ or organs for research or any other purpose not related to determining identification, cause, or manner of death without prior notification to and approval from the appropriate next of kin.

Exceptions to notification requirements exist if directed otherwise by the Governor, Attorney General, district attorney, or by order of a circuit court judge.

The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

Senate passed the bill on May 16, 2019 with a vote of 30 to 0.