CA SB982

Seals autopsy reports and evidence from examinations of deceased children (under 18) killed by criminal acts, upon request of qualifying family members (biological/adoptive parents, spouses, or legal guardians), once a conviction or juvenile court adjudication is final.

Permits disclosure of sealed autopsy reports and evidence only to: law enforcement and prosecutors for investigative purposes; defendants and defense teams in criminal proceedings; civil litigants with court order showing good cause; and social service agencies and child death review teams, with restrictions on further dissemination.

Requires courts to hold hearings if multiple qualifying family members disagree about sealing, considering interests of all family members, protection of the deceased child's memory, public interest, and impact on pending investigations or litigation.

Prohibits coroners and medical examiners from civil liability for reasonable good faith compliance with sealing provisions, and allows continued public access to death certificate information (name, age, date, location, cause of death).

Declares the act takes effect immediately as an urgency statute; requires state reimbursement to local agencies if the Commission on State Mandates determines the act imposes state-mandated costs.