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VermontS.2102025-2026 SessionSenate

An act relating to access to autopsy reports

Sponsored By: Ruth E Hardy (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More access to Vermont autopsy reports

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont’s medical examiner’s office must give autopsy reports to the deceased person’s personal representative. This includes a court-appointed estate executor or administrator, or an heir under Vermont inheritance law. Disclosure must follow federal health privacy rules, called HIPAA. Other disclosures allowed by federal law remain allowed. People without authorized access can ask Vermont’s Probate Division for a report. They must file a sworn statement explaining their relationship to the deceased person and why they want the report. Within five days after filing, they must notify the medical examiner’s office and the State’s Attorney where the death occurred. Those offices have 14 days after notice to respond. The court must consider family ties, public oversight of government, privacy, less intrusive options such as removing details, and similar public records. It must also consider interference with an ongoing criminal investigation. If the court finds good cause, it must order release of all or part of the report. It can limit how the requester shares the material. Requesters can file again after an important change in information. The law also keeps Chief Medical Examiner oversight of autopsies ordered by a Superior judge or the Attorney General. Either authority can direct otherwise for good cause.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ruth E Hardy

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Martine Larocque L Gulick

    Democratic • Senate

  • Virginia "Ginny" V Lyons

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Message: Signed by Governor April 22, 2026

    4/23/2026Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on April 22, 2026

    4/23/2026Senate

  3. Delivered to Governor on April 16, 2026

    4/16/2026Senate

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

    4/9/2026Senate

  5. As passed by Senate and House

    4/8/2026Senate

  6. House proposal of amendment concurred in

    4/8/2026Senate

  7. House proposal of amendment; text

    4/8/2026Senate

  8. House proposal of amendment

    4/8/2026Senate

  9. House proposal of amendment

    4/7/2026Senate

  10. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/7/2026Senate

  11. House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment

    4/3/2026House

  12. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/2/2026House

  13. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    4/2/2026House

  14. Third Reading ordered

    4/1/2026House

  15. Report of Committee on Human Services agreed to

    4/1/2026House

  16. Rep. Steady of Milton reported for the Committee on Human Services

    4/1/2026House

  17. Read second time

    4/1/2026House

  18. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    4/1/2026House

  19. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    3/31/2026House

  20. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services

    2/27/2026House

  21. Read 3rd time & passed

    2/25/2026Senate

  22. Unfinished Business/Third Reading

    2/25/2026Senate

  23. New Business/Third Reading

    2/24/2026Senate

  24. 3rd reading ordered

    2/20/2026Senate

  25. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to

    2/20/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 83)Opens in a new window

    5/1/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/14/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/14/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment

    4/3/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    4/3/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    3/11/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)

    3/11/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/6/2026

    PDF

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