WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2022 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 619

By Senators Maynard, Baldwin, Stollings, Lindsay, and Woodrum

[Introduced February 11, 2022; referred
to the Committee on Government Organization]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-12-16, relating to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; providing for the final disposition of unidentified and unclaimed remains in the possession of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pursuant to legislative rule; and providing for emergency legislative rulemaking allowing for the final disposition of unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 12. POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS.

§61-12-16. Disposition of unidentified or unclaimed remains pursuant to legislative rule.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code which provide for the disposition of unidentified or unclaimed remains in the possession of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Further, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shall promulgate emergency rules pursuant to §29A-3-15 of this code providing for the disposition of unidentified or unclaimed remains in their possession.