MS HB629

Requires a blood test at the expense of the employer and carrier in all "found dead" workers' compensation cases, with results including alcohol and drug screening, basic metabolic panel, and other information to determine cause of death.

Blood must be drawn by the coroner or designee and tests performed at the coroner's request in accordance with normal coroner procedures.

Mandates an autopsy in found dead cases if requested by the spouse, next of kin, employer, or carrier within three hours of discovery and notification, performed at employer and carrier expense.

Specifies that the University of Mississippi Medical Center or State Medical Examiner shall perform autopsies, with bodies returned to family within 48 hours, preliminary reports due within 3 days, and final reports within 6 weeks of death.

Provides that if employer and carrier request an autopsy and the family objects, the presumption of compensability is waived; allows written waiver of autopsy if cause of death is obvious or no autopsy is requested.