RI H7933

Modernizes definitions for key terms including "autopsy," "cause of death," "manner of death," and "postmortem examination," and adds new definitions for "death investigation," "external inspection," "person of interest," and "physician"

Replaces the 12-member state medical examiners commission with a 5-member state postmortem advisory commission consisting of governor-appointed physicians with autopsy experience who serve 3-year terms

Creates formal appeals process allowing persons of interest to request amendments to death certificate findings within 60 days, with appeals going through the chief medical examiner, director of health, and ultimately to superior court

Expands mandatory death reporting requirements to include deaths of persons under 18 (within 6 hours instead of 24), deaths in law enforcement custody, and sudden/unexpected deaths when decedent was in apparent good health

Requires healthcare facilities, providers, educational institutions, correctional institutions, and law enforcement agencies to disclose records requested by the medical examiner for death investigations; removes outdated provisions regarding criminal abortion deaths and compensation for water body recovery