ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

 

HB 2197: medical examiner; pathologist assistant; autopsies

Sponsor: Representative Osborne, LD 13

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Allows county medical examiners to authorize a pathologist assistant to perform autopsies under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Restricts a pathologist assistant from certifying a cause of death or independently performing an autopsy. Defines pathologist assistant.

History

A county medical examiner or alternative medical examiner will direct a death investigation and on a determination that the circumstances of death provide jurisdiction, they may perform certain duties as outlined in statute.

A county medical examiner may authorize a forensic pathologist to perform examinations and autopsies. The medical examiner or alternative medical examiner may authorize medical students or residents and fellows in pathology training to perform autopsies under the supervision of a licensed physician who is board certified in forensic pathology pursuant to procedures adopted by the county medical examiner or alternative medical examiner (A.R.S. § 11-594).

A sunrise application was submitted on October 29, 2021, requesting the expansion of the scope of practice of county medical examiners and alternate medical examiners to authorize pathologist assistants to perform autopsies under supervision.  

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteAllows a county medical examiner or alternative medical examiner to authorize a pathologist assistant to assist with performing autopsies while under the direct supervision of a licensed physician who is board certified in forensic pathology. (Sec. 2)

2.   Prohibits a pathologist assistant from certifying a cause of death or independently performing an autopsy. (Sec. 2)

3.   Defines pathologist assistant as a person certified as a pathologist assistant who has graduated from a pathologist assistant training program approved by a national accrediting agency for clinical laboratory sciences. (Sec. 1)

4.   Deletes terms. (Sec. 1)

5.   Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2)

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9.                     HB 2197

10.  Initials AG/JB        Page 0 Health & Human Services

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