CA AB2119

Expands disclosure requirements for medical records to medical examiners, forensic pathologists, and coroners when investigating deaths involving public health concerns, organ/tissue donation, abuse, poisoning, accidents, sudden infant deaths, suspicious deaths, or criminal deaths.

Prohibits medical examiners, forensic pathologists, and coroners from disclosing obtained medical records to third parties without a court order or authorization from the decedent's personal representative, with limited exceptions.

Requires health facilities, state developmental centers, and state mental hospitals to release patient medical records to medical examiners, forensic pathologists, or coroners upon request when a patient dies from any cause.

Removes previous restrictions preventing disclosure of notes, summaries, transcripts, and records of conversations between patients and health professionals at state developmental centers and state mental hospitals.

Includes legislative findings that privacy protections for deceased persons' medical records represent a constitutionally permissible limitation on public access to government records.