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SB1369 • 2026

county medical examiner; reports; access

SB1369 - county medical examiner; reports; access

Healthcare
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Shawnna Bolick
Last action
2026-01-28
Official status
Senate second read
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary text does not provide specific details on costs or timelines for review and disclosure of autopsy reports.

Medical Examiner Reports; Access

This bill changes the conditions under which autopsy reports and related materials can be accessed by certain individuals.

What This Bill Does

  • It requires a judge to review autopsy reports in private before they are shared with anyone, unless an exception applies.
  • It specifies that county attorneys, family members of the deceased, personal representatives of the estate, public health officers, educational institutions for research purposes without revealing identity, and attorneys involved in criminal or postconviction proceedings can access these materials directly.
  • Medical examiners have the authority to set procedures for issuing these materials and may charge fees.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Medical examiners
  • Family members of people who died
  • County attorneys
  • Public health officers
  • Educational institutions conducting research without revealing identity
  • Attorneys involved in criminal or postconviction proceedings

Terms To Know

Autopsy reports
Documents that describe the findings from an examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death.
In camera review
A private court review where only the judge sees certain documents or evidence.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone wants to see a report but is not on the list of allowed people.
  • It's unclear how much it will cost for educational institutions to get copies of autopsy materials.
  • There are no details about how long it might take for a judge to review and decide who can see the reports.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-28 Senate

    Senate second read

  2. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Senate Rules: None

  3. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Senate Government: None

  4. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Senate first read

Official Summary Text

SB1369 - county medical examiner; reports; access

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SB1369 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
county medical examiner; reports; access

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1369

Introduced by

Senator
Bolick

AN
ACT

amending section 11-597.02, arizona
revised statutes; relating to the county medical examiner.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 11-597.02, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
11-597.02.

Autopsy reports; photographs, digital images, x-rays and
video recordings;� in camera review; exceptions; procedures; immunity

A.
Notwithstanding title
39, chapter 1,
reports, including toxicology, anthropology,
neuropathology and odontology reports,
photographs, digital images, x-rays
and video recordings of human remains that are created by a medical examiner,
alternate medical examiner or their employees or agents during a death
investigation that is conducted pursuant to this chapter may not be disclosed
by a medical examiner, alternate medical examiner or their employees or agents
unless a judge of the superior court grants disclosure of all or part of the
materials after reviewing the materials in camera.� The judge of the superior
court shall balance the interests under the public records laws of this state
to determine whether to order disclosure of all or part of the materials.� A
person that seeks disclosure of the materials described in this section may
file a petition in the superior court of the county in which the death
investigation occurred for an in camera review of the materials.

B. Notwithstanding
the provisions of

subsection A of this section, the following persons may examine and obtain the
materials described in subsection A of this section:

1. The county attorney, attorney general or other
law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, as necessary for the performance of

their
its
duties.

2. The surviving spouse, child, parent, legal
guardian, grandparent, grandchild or sibling of the decedent or
their
the person's
legal representative or designated
agent.

The office of the medical examiner shall
prioritize a request to examine and obtain the materials described in
subsection A of this section that is made pursuant to this paragraph.� A
request that is made pursuant to this paragraph is subject to section 39-121.01,
subsection E.

3. A personal representative of the decedent's
estate or a person designated by the decedent before death.

4. Federal, state or local governmental authorities,
including public health officers, as necessary for the performance of their
duties.

5. The attending physician or nurse practitioner.

6. A medical or scientific body or university or
other educational institution for educational or research purposes, provided
that the materials used do not reveal the decedent's identity.

7. An attorney for a defendant or petitioner in any
criminal or postconviction proceeding for purposes of assisting representation
in that proceeding.

C.
Nothing in
This section
shall
does not
affect the conduct of
trials or the discovery process as provided by law or court rule.

D. The medical examiner or alternate medical
examiner may prescribe procedures for the issuance of materials pursuant to
subsection B of this section, including reproduction fees.

E. A cause of action may not arise against the
county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner or their employees or
agents, or the county for lawfully disclosing a death investigation
report, including a toxicology, anthropology, neuropathology or
ODONTOLOGY report, or
photograph, digital image, x-ray or video
recording pursuant to this section.
END_STATUTE