SB 1201 Summary

• Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 11-594 to require county medical examiners to provide blood samples from deceased persons for communicable disease testing pursuant to sections 13-1210 and 36-670 when blood is available and collection will not interfere with medical examination, autopsy, or death certification.

• Adds new Section 36-670 establishing a procedure for "good samaritans" to petition courts for authorization to test deceased persons for HIV, bloodborne diseases, or other specified diseases when there are reasonable grounds to believe exposure occurred.

• Requires courts to hear petitions promptly and order county medical examiners to draw two blood specimens if probable cause exists that blood or bodily fluids transferred between the deceased person and the petitioner.

• Authorizes county medical examiners to collect blood specimens during autopsy or examination upon written notice from the department, but specimens may only be released after court order; if no order is issued within 30 days, the specimen must be destroyed.

• Provides that test results shall be provided to the petitioner as prescribed by the department, and exempts this process from confidentiality requirements under Section 36-665.