Conditions for release and removal of body part by coroner or
medical examiner
Sec. 4.5. (a) A coroner may release and permit the removal of a
part from a body within the coroner's custody, for transplantation or
therapy only, if all of the following occur:
(1) The coroner receives a request for a part from a hospital,
physician, surgeon, or procurement organization.
(2) The coroner makes a reasonable effort, taking into account
the useful life of a part, to locate and examine the decedent's
medical records and inform individuals listed in section 2(b) of
this chapter of their option to make or object to making a gift
under this chapter.
(3) The coroner does not know of a refusal or contrary
indication by the decedent or an objection by an individual
having priority to act as listed in section 2(b) of this chapter.
(4) The removal will be by:
(A) a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5; or
(B) in the case of removal of an eye or part of an eye, by an
individual described in section 4(e) of this chapter and under
IC 36-2-14-19.
(5) The removal will not interfere with any autopsy or
investigation.
(6) The removal will be in accordance with accepted medical
standards.
(7) Cosmetic restoration will be done, if appropriate.
(b) If the body is not within the custody of the coroner, the
medical examiner may release and permit the removal of any part
from a body in the medical examiner's custody for transplantation or
therapy if the requirements of subsection (a) are met.
(c) A person under this section who releases or permits the
removal of a part shall maintain a permanent record of the name of
the decedent, the individual making the request, the date and purpose
of the request, the body part requested, and the person to whom it
was released.
As added by P.L.126-1995, SEC.6 and P.L.135-1995, SEC.4.
Amended by P.L.130-2001, SEC.3.
Last modified: May 27, 2006