The bill S.210 amends 18 V.S.A. § 505 to enhance access to autopsy reports in Vermont. It establishes that when an autopsy is ordered by a Superior judge or the Attorney General, it must be conducted by the Chief Medical Examiner or under their direction. The bill specifies that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is required to disclose a decedent's autopsy report to their personal representative, including the court-appointed executor or administrator of the estate, in compliance with federal privacy laws. Additionally, it allows individuals not authorized to receive the report to petition the Probate Division of the Superior Court for access, provided they demonstrate good cause.

The bill outlines the process for petitioning, including the requirement for an affidavit detailing the petitioner's relationship to the decedent and the reason for the request. It also stipulates that the court will consider various factors in determining good cause, such as the relationship to the decedent, the necessity for public evaluation of governmental performance, and the privacy of the decedent's family. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 18-505
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 18-505
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 18-505