This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding the duties of the medical examiner in Arizona. It introduces new language that allows forensic pathologists to perform autopsies and examinations, replacing the requirement for them to be "board certified" with the need to be "trained" in forensic pathology. Additionally, it expands the definition of who can perform medical examiner duties to include medical students, residents, and fellows in pathology training under supervision. The bill also modifies the language around the court's handling of petitions related to significant exposure cases, specifying that the court shall hear a petition promptly and clarifying the roles of authorized personnel in blood specimen collection during autopsies.

Furthermore, the bill updates terminology related to the deceased, replacing "dead person" with "decedent" throughout the statutes. It also clarifies the responsibilities of counties regarding burial and funeral arrangements, particularly in cases where no responsible party can be located or is financially capable. The bill allows counties to recover burial costs from the decedent's estate and introduces provisions for handling unclaimed cremated remains, enabling their transfer to veterans' organizations for interment if they are identified as belonging to veterans or their dependents. Overall, these changes aim to modernize the language and procedures related to the medical examiner's duties and the handling of deceased individuals in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11-594, 32-3207, 36-831, 11-593, 28-668, 13-1210, 36-670, 11-251.08