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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

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

Personal reps can get autopsy reports

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner must share autopsy reports with a decedent’s personal representative. This includes a court‑appointed executor or administrator and heirs at law under 14 V.S.A. chapter 42. The office follows HIPAA rules when sharing. This does not block other sharing allowed by federal law.

Court path to request autopsy reports

Beginning July 1, 2026, people who are not personal representatives can ask the Probate Division for an autopsy report. File a petition with an affidavit stating your relationship to the decedent and why you need the report. Within five days, notify the Chief Medical Examiner and the county State’s Attorney. They can respond within 14 days. The court may order full or partial release for good cause and can limit sharing. The judge weighs privacy, your relationship, public interest, redaction options, other public sources, and any ongoing criminal probe. You may refile if facts change.

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

    4/23/2026House

  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

    4/9/2026House

  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

    4/3/2026Senate

  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)

    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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