HB 1353 -- CORONER'S REPORTS

Currently, a coroner's report and drug or alcohol test results
on a person killed in a motor vehicle accident are available
only by subpoena issued by a court.  This bill allows release of
the report and the results of any test to the following persons:

(1)  Any person involved in the accident;

(2)  The spouse of or any family member related within the
second degree of consanguinity to a person killed in the
accident;

(3)  The attorney for a person involved in the accident; and

(4)  The insurer of any person involved in the accident or whose
property is involved in the accident for purposes of
investigation of any civil claim or defense.

Release to other persons remains through subpoena.

HB 1353 -- CORONERS' REPORTS (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.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

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

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.