The bill amends Section 23-4-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-4, which pertains to the "Office of State Medical Examiners," specifically regarding the disposition of deceased bodies. The amendment includes new provisions for the release of deceased bodies after a postmortem external examination or autopsy. The state is now responsible for the cost of transporting the deceased body to the office of state medical examiners if an autopsy is required. Additionally, if relatives, representatives, domestic partners, or other authorized persons fail to claim the body within 14 days of receiving notice, or do not arrange for the removal of the body from the state medical examiner's morgue within 30 days, the body is deemed unclaimed and will be buried in accordance with § 40-6-3.10. The bill also specifies that the general treasurer of the state has the first priority in recovering burial expenses from the estate of the deceased person.

The bill further defines "domestic partner" for the purposes of this chapter, outlining the qualifications such as being at least 18 years of age, not married to anyone else, not related by blood to a degree which would prohibit marriage in Rhode Island, cohabitation for at least one year at the time of death, and financial interdependence as evidenced by various possible joint ownerships or designations as a beneficiary. The act is set to take effect upon passage and aims to establish procedures for the burial of unclaimed remains.

Statutes affected:
7517  SUB A: 23-4-10
7517: 23-4-10