REPRESENTATIVE YOLLY ROBERSON INTRODUCES LEGISLATION PROTECTING AUTOPSY PHOTOS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 9,2003                                                                                                    CONTACT: Estaban Ferreiro (850)488-7088
                                                           
REPRESENTATIVE YOLLY ROBERSON INTRODUCES LEGISLATION PROTECTING AUTOPSY PHOTOS

TALLAHASSEE - Representative Yolly Roberson (D- Miami) has introduced legislation, House Bill (HB) 1579, to empower a deceased person's relatives to designate another person to view or obtain autopsy records.

"Families may not have the emotional or physical energy to ask informative questions regarding a lost loved one," said Representative Roberson. "My legislation gives families the option of electing someone they trust to review sensitive information and relay their findings to them when they emotionally capable to handle the death."

Current law provides a public records exemption for a photograph or video or audio recording of an autopsy in the custody of a medical examiner. Also, a surviving spouse may access records. If there is no surviving spouse, the surviving parents have access. If there is no surviving spouse or parent, then an adult child has access.

This legislation creates an exception to the current public records law. This bill authorizes the deceased's surviving relative, with whom authority rests to obtain such records, to designate an agent to also obtain those records. The bill also provides that the custodian may allow an agent, designated in writing, to view or copy the records.

This legislation empowers the surviving spouse to select an adult child, lawyer, or doctor they trust to help make decisions. The cause of death determination by an autopsy may well give grounds for lawsuits or criminal complaints.

Representative Roberson was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, District 104, in 2002. Constituents wishing to share their ideas and suggestions with Representative Roberson should call (850) 488-7088 or e-mail roberson.yolly@myfloridahouse.com.






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