Rhode IslandH79332026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- OFFICE OF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINERS .

Sponsored By: Brandon C. Potter (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Help for families after a death

The medical examiner must promptly release the body after exams. When an autopsy is required by law, the state pays to transport the body to the morgue. Organ and tissue donation is allowed when it does not block finding cause or manner of death. Domestic partners can make arrangements if they meet age, cohabitation, and financial‑interdependence rules and sign an affidavit. Personal items are released with the body unless held for investigation, and funeral staff must sign an itemized receipt. Police must protect a decedent’s property left at hotels or in public places.

Broader death investigation powers

The medical examiner can investigate more kinds of deaths, including homicides, suicides, accidents, workplace injuries, drug and toxin deaths, epidemic‑related infections, and sudden unexpected deaths. An examiner’s agent decides jurisdiction, takes custody when accepted, and should not remove a body from a home unless needed. Police supervisors, state police, or an examiner’s agent may order removal of bodies found in public after consulting the office. After mass‑fatality events, the office may order cremation of commingled remains that cannot be linked to a single person. Hospitals, providers, schools, jails, and police must share requested records, reports, and scene photos/videos with the office.

Stronger state medical examiner system

The law creates a statewide Office of State Medical Examiners inside the health department. The office must earn and keep national accreditation. The chief must be a licensed physician, board‑certified in anatomic and forensic pathology. The office keeps full investigation records and posts an annual statistics report after cases close. The state must staff and equip the morgue and offices to meet duties and accreditation. Key terms and roles are clearly defined to guide how cases are handled.

Faster reporting and scene rules

Anyone who finds a body or possible human remains must report it right away to local police or the medical examiner. Doctors, police, funeral directors, hospitals, and custodial agencies must notify the office when covered deaths happen or when someone dies in custody. Do not disturb a body or nearby items unless starting lifesaving care; failures and improper burials are reported to law enforcement. If an examiner’s agent believes another person’s act or neglect caused the death, they must immediately tell the Attorney General and local police. Deaths of people under 18 must be reported to the office within six hours by the pronouncing professional. Suspected accidental cold or heat deaths of people 65+ must be reported to the Office of Healthy Aging.

Fees and limits on autopsy access

The health director sets fees for copies of postmortem records, cremation permissions, expert testimony, and archive searches. State and local government offices do not pay these fees, but others must pay the set amounts. A person arrested and charged with causing a death no longer automatically gets a copy of the autopsy report by asking the Attorney General.

End payments; tougher concealment penalties

The state ends payments that used to go to people who recovered bodies from state waters. People convicted of hiding a death or knowing about a felony face fines or jail under the state’s sentencing law.

Amend death findings with appeals

A spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling, grandparent, or guardian can ask to change cause or manner of death within 60 days, except in homicide cases. If denied, you can appeal within 15 days. The health director sends the case to the Postmortem Advisory Commission and then issues a final order within 60 days. If the original finding is upheld after a contested hearing, the appellant must pay the hearing costs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Brandon C. Potter
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Susan R. Donovan
Democratic • House
Joshua J. Giraldo
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 75 • No: 50

House vote • 5/28/2026

OFFICE / STATE MEDICAL EXAMINERS PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT

Yes: 12 • No: 50