All Roll Calls
Yes: 127 • No: 5
UtahS.B. 822025 General SessionSenate
Autopsy Photo Amendments
Sponsored By: Stephanie Pitcher (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Funeral and Death Care ServicesHealth and Human ServicesHealth CareMedical RecordsCrimesLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeDepartment of Health and Human Services
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New limits on sharing autopsy images
Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah's law protects families' privacy by restricting the sharing of autopsy photos and videos. People receiving these images from the medical examiner cannot knowingly share or publish them unless an exception applies. The restriction covers images in the examiner's record that are not in the public domain when shared. Exceptions cover medical examiner employees and contractors sharing for consultation or training, or sharing deidentified images for training, research, or publication. Other exceptions cover deciding claims in administrative or court proceedings and sharing under a lawful subpoena, court order, or Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act. Violations are a class B misdemeanor.
Stricter privacy rules for autopsy researchers
Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah's law protects families' privacy through stricter rules for researchers using medical examiner records. Access requires an advanced degree, an eligible institutional affiliation, sponsorship, required organizational approvals, and Institutional Review Board approval. The department must determine that the research or quality improvement project has a public health benefit. Researchers must keep records confidential, remove details that could identify the deceased person or family, and use records only for the requested purpose. They must reimburse costs as required by law and allow medical examiner review of publications before public release. Researchers must also maintain the examiner's access to data until destruction and destroy records and related data when the project ends. Failure to follow the research requirements is a class B misdemeanor.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Stephanie Pitcher
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Nicholeen P. Peck
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/26/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 64 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 4
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/5/2025
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/5/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/12/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/28/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
2/28/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
2/27/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
2/27/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/26/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
2/26/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/26/2025HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/26/2025HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/24/2025HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/24/2025HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/24/2025HouseHouse/ to standing committee
2/21/2025HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/19/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/19/2025HouseSenate/ to House
2/19/2025SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/19/2025SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/19/2025SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/18/2025SenateSenate/ floor amendment
2/18/2025SenateSenate/ uncircled
2/18/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2025
Amended 2/18/2025 11:02:125
2/18/2025
Substitute #1
2/5/2025
Introduced
1/9/2025