The bill amends Section 11 of Article 49.25 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to enhance the confidentiality of certain autopsy records. It requires medical examiners to maintain comprehensive records that include the cause and manner of death, and specifies that photographs or x-rays taken during an autopsy are generally exempt from public disclosure. However, these records can be disclosed under specific circumstances, such as through a subpoena, if the deceased was in law enforcement custody, or to the next of kin, with a discretionary exception under the Government Code.

Additionally, the bill introduces new subsections that clarify the conditions under which photographs or x-rays can be withheld from public disclosure without needing to request a decision from the attorney general. It also states that releasing such photographs or x-rays does not constitute a public release of information, preserving the right to assert confidentiality in the future. The changes will apply only to requests for information received on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.