The bill amends the 1953 PA 181, which governs investigations into causes of death due to violence, negligence, or criminal acts, and establishes the role of county medical examiners. Key changes include the clarification of circumstances under which a county medical examiner must investigate a death, such as unexpected deaths, deaths without medical attendance, and deaths resulting from abortions. The bill also specifies that medical records obtained during investigations are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Additionally, it introduces new definitions for terms like "home hospice care" and updates the definition of "physician" to reflect current licensing standards.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities of individuals who first learn of a death that falls under the county medical examiner's jurisdiction, emphasizing the need to report such deaths immediately. It also mandates that if multiple individuals are involved in a similar incident, the medical examiner must be informed of their attributes and the hospitals they were taken to. The bill includes provisions for referring cases of elderly or vulnerable adults who die unexpectedly or under suspicious circumstances to a specialized review team, ensuring that the information gathered remains confidential and protected from public disclosure.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 52.202, 52.203
As Passed by the House: 52.202, 52.203