79R5458 MCK-D

By:  Leibowitz                                                    H.B. No. 1460



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to release of autopsy reports in relation to a workers' 
compensation or insurance claim.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 671.013, Health and Safety Code, is 
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to 
read as follows:
	(a)  An autopsy report shall be released on request to an 
authorized person in connection with the determination of the cause 
of death in relation to a workers' compensation or insurance claim. 
The report shall be released not later than the 15th day after the 
date the request is received from the authorized person.
	(d)  If an autopsy report is not available for release within 
the period specified by Subsection (a) because the report has not 
been filed, a representative of the commissioners court of the 
county in which the autopsy report will be filed shall, not later 
than the 10th business day after the date of the request, notify the 
requesting person that the report has not been filed and of the 
date, to the best of the knowledge of the representative, that the 
requesting person may anticipate receiving the report.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.