Reporting Cause of Death; Keeping Records; Issuing Death Certificates

Art. 49A.119. REPORTING CAUSE OF DEATH; KEEPING RECORDS; ISSUING DEATH CERTIFICATES. (a) For each inquest conducted, the medical examiner shall file with the district attorney or criminal district attorney of the county in which the death occurred, or shall file with the county attorney of that county if there is not a district attorney or criminal district attorney, a report stating: (1) if the cause of death is determined beyond a reasonable doubt as a result of the inquest, the specific cause of death; and (2) on completion of an autopsy, if any, the detailed findings of the autopsy. (b) The medical examiner shall: (1) keep full and complete records properly indexed for each person whose death is investigated, which must include: (A) the name, if known; (B) the place where the body was found; (C) the date; (D) the cause and manner of death; and (E) the full report and detailed findings of the autopsy, if any; and (2) issue a death certificate. (c) In any case in which further investigation of a person's death is advisable, the medical examiner shall promptly deliver copies of all records to the proper district, county, or criminal district attorney. 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