HB 13-1097 Summary

• Repeals statutes allowing coroners to summon physicians for post-mortem examinations and to authorize removal of pituitary glands from deceased bodies for medical research, education, or therapy.

• Expands coroner notification procedures requiring law enforcement to notify coroners as soon as practicable after a death is discovered, and requires law enforcement to accommodate coroners' collection of time-sensitive forensic information at scenes.

• Broadens grounds for coroner investigation to include deaths from intoxication, workplace accidents, unexpected deaths of infants or children, deaths within 24 hours of hospital admission, deaths involving peace officers or in custody of law enforcement, unidentifiable or decomposed bodies, and other circumstances coroners deem warrant investigation.

• Grants coroners enhanced authority to collect evidence and documents during noncriminal investigations, including accessing electronic devices, prescription medications, and suicide notes, subject to constitutional limitations.

• Requires coroners to retain death certificates and related documents indefinitely in secure county facilities, and mandates coroner compliance with statistical and research information requests from state health and transportation departments.