COMMITTEE
HB 1353 -- CORONERS' REPORTS
SPONSOR: Farnen
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Public Safety and Law Enforcement by a vote of 16 to 0.
This bill allows access to the coroner's report by any person
involved in a motor vehicle accident which causes a death. Any
person owning property involved in the accident may also request
the report. Currently, such a coroner's report, which includes
any evidence of drugs or alcohol in the deceased, is available
only by subpoena.
FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that information in coroners'
reports concerning fatal motor vehicle accidents should be
available to a limited class of interested individuals without
going through the lengthy and costly subpoena process that is
now required. Supporters also say that the confidentiality of
this information is secure, because it can only be accessed
without a subpoena by the insurer or attorney, who can protect
the information as work product, or the family involved.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Farnen; Missouri
Insurance Coalition; and Steve Johnson, retired Missouri Highway
Patrol.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Sarah Madden, Legislative Analyst
INTRODUCED
HB 1353 -- Coroners' Reports
Sponsor: Farnen
This bill allows access to the coroner's report by any person
involved in a motor vehicle accident which causes a death. Any
person owning property involved in the accident may also request
the report. Currently, such a coroner's report, which includes
any evidence of drugs or alcohol in the deceased, is available
only by subpoena.
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Last Updated October 5, 2000 at 11:32 am