When Autopsies Required; Use of Facilities

Art. 49A.114. WHEN AUTOPSIES REQUIRED; USE OF FACILITIES. (a) The medical examiner, or the medical examiner's authorized deputy, shall immediately perform an autopsy if: (1) in the opinion of the medical examiner an autopsy is necessary; or (2) an autopsy is requested by the district attorney or criminal district attorney or by the county attorney if there is not a district attorney or criminal district attorney. (b) A medical examiner is not required to perform an autopsy on the body of a person whose death was caused by a communicable disease during a public health disaster. (c) In performing an autopsy, the medical examiner or the medical examiner's authorized deputy may use a facility of a municipal or county hospital in the county or any other facility that is made available. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027. Text of article effective on April 01, 2027