FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman House Democratic Communications Office Phone: 717-787-7895 Fax: 717-783-6839 Email: nreigelm@pahouse.net	State Rep. Harold James D-Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/james

James plan would broaden families’ access to autopsy reports

HARRISBURG, July 6 – State Rep. Harold James, D-Phila., has reintroduced legislation that would broaden families’ access to autopsy records.

James said he introduced identical legislation in the previous session after a constituent who was unable to receive her son’s autopsy records approached him. The woman said the records were released to her son’s soon-to-be-ex-wife because under law she was the next of kin for the woman’s son.

James’ bill (H.B. 1696) would expand the term “next of kin” to include spouses, parents, siblings and adult children, in no particular order of precedence.

“The current law is shortsighted and doesn’t take the way Pennsylvania’s families are changing into account,” James said. “Every circumstance is different and to have a blanket provision saying that if there is a spousal relationship, that person is next of kin, doesn’t leave any room for adult children, parents or siblings.”

Under current Pennsylvania law, a coroner or medical examiner provides autopsy records to the deceased person’s primary next of kin. That is the spouse if the dead person was married, regardless of the status of the marital relationship when the person died. According to current law, parents are fourth in line to receive autopsy information.

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