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HB 383

Medical examiners, criminal penalties established for medical examiner retaining deceased person's organs in certain circumstances

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris England

HB 383 criminalizes medical examiners' unauthorized retention of deceased persons' organs, establishing penalties to prevent families from being excluded from decisions about their deceased relatives' remains.

Currently Indefinitely Postponed
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Bill Summary · HB 383

Legislative bill overview

HB 383 establishes criminal penalties for medical examiners who retain deceased persons' organs without proper authorization or notification. The bill creates a legal framework to hold medical examiners accountable for organ retention practices during autopsies or examinations.

Why is this important

Organ retention by medical examiners without family knowledge or consent has been a documented practice that caused significant emotional harm to families and raised ethical concerns. This bill addresses a real issue that damaged public trust in medical institutions and funeral practices, particularly affecting families during grief.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "certain circumstances" – The bill's language about which organ retention scenarios trigger penalties may be unclear; medical examiners might argue some retention is necessary for forensic investigation or quality assurance
  • Criminal vs. civil remedies – Critics may question whether criminal penalties are appropriate versus civil liability, fines, or licensing discipline for what might be procedural violations
  • Notification requirements – The bill likely requires family notification, but specifics about timing, method, and exceptions for ongoing investigations could create implementation challenges

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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