WA People
BILL · 2013–14 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5256

SB 5256: Autopsies and postmortems

Concerning the confidentiality of certain autopsy and postmortem reports and records.

Summary

  • Provides that coroners, medical examiners, and their designees are not prohibited from publicly discussing their findings as to any death within the jurisdiction of their office that was proximately caused by a law enforcement or corrections officer.
  • Grants coroners, medical examiners, and their designees immunity from legal liability associated with the release of findings regarding a death, as long as they acted in good faith in attempting to comply with the law.
  • Restricts public discussion of findings by a coroner, medical examiner, or his or her designee to formal court or inquest proceedings when a criminal investigation or litigation concerning the death has commenced prior to the effective date of the act.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5256), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 295, Laws of 2013
  1. IntroducedJan 24, 2013
  2. Out of committeeFeb 11, 2013
  3. Passed SenateMar 8, 2013
  4. Passed HouseApr 17, 2013
  5. GovernorMay 20, 2013
  6. LawMay 20, 2013
Prime sponsor
Mike Padden (R-4)
Introduced
January 24, 2013 in the Senate
Last action
May 20, 2013
Session law
Chapter 295, Laws of 2013
Versions
SB 5256, SSB 5256

AN ACT Relating to reports and records of autopsies and postmortems;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Mike Padden (R-4)

1 co-sponsor (0 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Senator R-6

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 8, 2013
Version voted on: SSB 5256
48 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat26000
Republican22001
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 17, 2013
Version voted on: SSB 5256
96 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat55000
Republican41002
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 23, 2013
Version voted on: SSB 5256
47 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat25001
Republican22001
How each member voted

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 1/1/2014. (SSB 5256)
  2. Chapter 295, 2013 Laws. (SSB 5256)
  3. Governor signed. (SSB 5256)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 5256)
  5. Speaker signed. (SSB 5256)
  6. President signed. (SSB 5256)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. (SSB 5256)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (SSB 5256)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. (SSB 5256)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5256)
  11. Committee amendment adopted with no other amendments. (SSB 5256)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SSB 5256)
  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5256)
  14. JUDI - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SSB 5256)
  15. JUDI - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 5256)
  16. First reading, referred to Judiciary (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). (SSB 5256)
  17. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5256)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SSB 5256)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5256)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5256)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  23. Made eligible to be placed on second reading. (SSB 5256)
  24. Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
  25. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5256)
  26. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  27. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5256)
  28. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  29. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

SB 5256 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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