USA Statutes : washington
Title : Cemeteries, morgues, and human remains
Chapter : Human remains
RCW 68.50.103Autopsies in industrial deaths.In an industrial death where the cause of death is unknown, and where the department of labor and industries is concerned, said department in its discretion, may request the coroner in writing to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The coroner shall be required to promptly perform such autopsy upon receipt of the written request from the department of labor and industries.[1953 c 188 § 6. Formerly RCW 68.08.103.] RCW 68.50.107State toxicological laboratory established State toxicologist.There shall be established in conjunction with the chief of the Washington state patrol and under the authority of the state forensic investigations council a state toxicological laboratory under the direction of the state toxicologist whose duty it will be to perform all necessary toxicologic procedures requested by all coroners, medical examiners, and prosecuting attorneys. The state forensic investigations council, after consulting with the chief of the Washington state patrol and director of the bureau of forensic laboratory services, shall appoint a toxicologist as state toxicologist, who shall report to the director of the bureau of forensic laboratory services and the office of the chief of the Washington state patrol. Toxicological services shall be funded by disbursement from the spirits, beer, and wine restaurant; spirits, beer, and wine private club; and sports entertainment facility license fees as provided in RCW 66.08.180 and by appropriation from the death investigations account as provided in RCW 43.79.445.[1999 c 281 § 13; 1999 c 40 § 8; 1995 c 398 § 10; 1986 c 87 § 2; 1983 1st ex.s. c 16 § 10; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 84 § 1; 1970 ex.s. c 24 § 1; 1953 c 188 § 13. Formerly RCW 68.08.107.]Notes:Reviser's note: This section was amended by 1999 c 40 § 8 and by 1999 c 281 § 13, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).Effective date -- 1999 c 40: See note following RCW 43.103.010.Effective date -- 1986 c 87: See note following RCW 66.08.180.Severability -- Effective date -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 16: See RCW 43.103.900 and 43.103.901.State forensic investigations council: Chapter 43.103 RCW. RCW 68.50.120Holding body for debt Penalty.Every person who arrests, attaches, detains, or claims to detain any human remains for any debt or demand, or upon any pretended lien or charge, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.[1943 c 247 § 27; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-27. Formerly RCW 68.08.120.] RCW 68.50.010Coroner's jurisdiction over remains.The jurisdiction of bodies of all deceased persons who come to their death suddenly when in apparent good health without medical attendance within the thirty-six hours preceding death; or where the circumstances of death indicate death was caused by unnatural or unlawful means; or where death occurs under suspicious circumstances; or where a coroner's autopsy or post mortem or coroner's inquest is to be held; or where death results from unknown or obscure causes, or where death occurs within one year following an accident; or where the death is caused by any violence whatsoever, or where death results from a known or suspected abortion; whether self-induced or otherwise; where death apparently results from drowning, hanging, burns, electrocution, gunshot wounds, stabs or cuts, lightning, starvation, radiation, exposure, alcoholism, narcotics or other addictions, tetanus, strangulations, suffocation or smothering; or where death is due to premature birth or still birth; or where death is due to a violent contagious disease or suspected contagious disease which may be a public health hazard; or where death results from alleged rape, carnal knowledge or sodomy, where death occurs in a jail or prison; where a body is found dead or is not claimed by relatives or friends, is hereby vested in the county coroner, which bodies may be removed and placed in the morgue under such rules as are adopted by the coroner with the approval of the county commissioners, having jurisdiction, providing therein how the bodies shall be brought to and cared for at the morgue and held for the proper identification where necessary.[1963 c 178 § 1; 1953 c 188 § 1; 1917 c 90 § 3; RRS § 6042. Formerly RCW 68.08.010.] RCW 68.50.020Notice to coroner Penalty.It shall be the duty of every person who knows of the existence and location of a dead body coming under the jurisdiction of the coroner as set forth in RCW 68.50.010, to notify the coroner thereof in the most expeditious manner possible, unless such person shall have good reason to believe that such notice has already been given. Any person knowing of the existence of such dead body and not having good reason to believe that the coroner has notice thereof and who shall fail to give notice to the coroner as aforesaid, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.[1987 c 331 § 55; 1917 c 90 § 4; RRS § 6043. Formerly RCW 68.08.020.] RCW 68.50.035Unlawful to refuse burial to non-Caucasian.It shall be unlawful for any cemetery under this chapter to refuse burial to any person because such person may not be of the Caucasian race.[1953 c 290 § 53. Formerly RCW 68.05.260.]Notes:Reviser's note: RCW 68.50.035 (formerly RCW 68.05.260) was declared unconstitutional in Price v. Evergreen Cemetery Co. of Seattle (1960) 157 Wash. Dec. 249. RCW 68.50.040Deceased's effects to be listed.Duplicate lists of all jewelry, moneys, papers, and other personal property of the deceased shall be made immediately upon finding the same by the coroner or his assistants. The original of such lists shall be kept as a public record at the morgue and the duplicate thereof shall be forthwith duly certified to by the coroner and filed with the county auditor.[1917 c 90 § 6; RRS § 6045. Formerly RCW 68.08.040.] RCW 68.50.050Removal or concealment of body Penalty.Any person, not authorized by the coroner or his deputies, who removes the body of a deceased person not claimed by a relative or friend, or who came to their death by reason of violence or from unnatural causes or where there shall exist reasonable grounds for the belief that such death has been caused by unlawful means at the hands of another, to any undertaking rooms or elsewhere, or any person who directs, aids or abets such taking, and any person who in any way conceals the body of a deceased person for the purpose of taking the same to any undertaking rooms or elsewhere, shall in each of said cases be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year or by both fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.[1917 c 90 § 7; RRS § 6046. Formerly RCW 68.08.050.] RCW 68.50.060Bodies for instruction purposes.Any physician or surgeon of this state, or any medical student under the authority of any such physician or surgeon, may obtain, as hereinafter provided, and have in his possession human dead bodies, or the parts thereof, for the purposes of anatomical inquiry or instruction.[1891 c 123 § 1; RRS § 10026. Formerly RCW 68.08.060.] RCW 68.50.070Bodies, when may be used for dissection.Any sheriff, coroner, keeper or superintendent of a county poorhouse, public hospital, county jail, or state institution shall surrender the dead bodies of persons required to be buried at the public expense, to any physician or surgeon, to be by him used for the advancement of anatomical science, preference being given to medical schools in this state, for their use in the instruction of medical students. If the deceased person during his last sickness requested to be buried, or if within thirty days after his death some person claiming to be a relative or a responsible officer of a church organization with which the deceased at the time of his death was affiliated requires the body to be buried, his body shall be buried.[1959 c 23 § 1; 1953 c 224 § 2; 1891 c 123 § 2; RRS § 10027. Formerly RCW 68.08.070.] RCW 68.50.080Certificate and bond before receiving bodies.Every physician or surgeon before receiving the dead body must give to the board or officer surrendering the same to him a certificate from the medical society of the county in which he resides, or if there is none, from the board of supervisors of the same, that he is a fit person to receive such dead body. He must also give a bond with two sureties, that each body so by him received will be used only for the promotion of anatomical science, and that it will be used for such purpose in this state only, and so as in no event to outrage the public feeling.[1891 c 123 § 3; RRS § 10028. Formerly RCW 68.08.080.] RCW 68.50.090Penalty.Any person violating any provision of RCW 68.50.060 through 68.50.080 shall upon conviction thereof be fined in any sum not exceeding five hundred dollars.[1987 c 331 § 56; 1891 c 123 § 4; RRS § 10029. Formerly RCW 68.08.090.] RCW 68.50.100Dissection, when permitted Autopsy of person under the age of three years.(1) The right to dissect a dead body shall be limited to cases specially provided by statute or by the direction or will of the deceased; cases where a coroner is authorized to hold an inquest upon the body, and then only as he or she may authorize dissection; and cases where the spouse or next of kin charged by law with the duty of burial shall authorize dissection for the purpose of ascertaining the cause of death, and then only to the extent so authorized: PROVIDED, That the coroner, in his or her discretion, may make or cause to be made by a competent pathologist, toxicologist, or physician, an autopsy or postmortem in any case in which the coroner has jurisdiction of a body: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That the coroner may with the approval of the University of Washington and with the consent of a parent or guardian deliver any body of a deceased person under the age of three years over which he or she has jurisdiction to the University of Washington medical school for the purpose of having an autopsy made to determine the cause of death.  (2) Every person who shall make, cause, or procure to be made any dissection of a body, except as provided in this section, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.[2003 c 53 § 307; 1963 c 178 § 2; 1953 c 188 § 2; 1909 c 249 § 237; RRS § 2489. Formerly RCW 68.08.100.]Notes:Intent -- Effective date -- 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180. RCW 68.50.101Autopsy, post mortem Who may authorize.Autopsy or post mortem may be performed in any case where authorization has been given by a member of one of the following classes of persons in the following order of priority:  (1) The surviving spouse;  (2) Any child of the decedent who is eighteen years of age or older;  (3) One of the parents of the decedent;  (4) Any adult brother or sister of the decedent;  (5) A person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of death;  (6) Any other person or agency authorized or under an obligation to dispose of the remains of the decedent. The chief official of any such agency shall designate one or more persons to execute authorizations pursuant to the provisions of this section.  If the person seeking authority to perform an autopsy or post mortem makes reasonable efforts to locate and secure authorization from a competent person in the first or succeeding class and finds no such person available, authorization may be given by any person in the next class, in the order of descending priority. However, no person under this section shall have the power to authorize an autopsy or post mortem if a person of higher priority under this section has refused such authorization: PROVIDED, That this section shall not affect autopsies performed pursuant to RCW 68.50.010 or 68.50.103.[1987 c 331 § 57; 1977 c 79 § 1; 1953 c 188 § 11. Formerly RCW 68.08.101.] RCW 68.50.102Court petition for autopsy Cost.Any party by showing just cause may petition the court to have autopsy made and results thereof made known to said party at his own expense.[1953 c 188 § 12. Formerly RCW 68.08.102.] RCW 68.50.104Cost of autopsy.(1) The cost of autopsy shall be borne by the county in which the autopsy is performed, except when requested by the department of labor and industries, in which case, the department shall bear the cost of such autopsy.  (2) Except as provided in (c) of this subsection, when the county bears the cost of an autopsy, it shall be reimbursed from the death investigations account, established by RCW 43.79.445, as follows:  (a) Up to forty percent of the cost of contracting for the services of a pathologist to perform an autopsy;  (b) Up to twenty-five percent of the salary of pathologists who are primarily engaged in performing autopsies and are (i) county coroners or county medical examiners, or (ii) employees of a county coroner or county medical examiner; and  (c) When the county bears the cost of an autopsy of a child under the age of three whose death was sudden and unexplained, the county shall be reimbursed for the expenses of the autopsy when the death scene investigation and the autopsy have been conducted under RCW 43.103.100 (4) and (5), and the autopsy has been done at a facility designed for the performance of autopsies.  Payments from the account shall be made pursuant to biennial appropriation: PROVIDED, That no county may reduce funds appropriated for this purpose below 1983 budgeted levels.[2001 c 82 § 2; 1983 1st ex.s. c 16 § 14; 1963 c 178 § 3; 1953 c 188 § 7. Formerly RCW 68.08.104.]Notes:Severability -- Effective date -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 16: See RCW 43.103.900 and 43.103.901. RCW 68.50.105Autopsies, post mortems Reports and records confidential Exceptions.Reports and records of autopsies or post mortems shall be confidential, except that the following persons may examine and obtain copies of any such report or record: The personal representative of the decedent as defined in RCW 11.02.005, any family member, the attending physician, the prosecuting attorney or law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction, public health officials, or to the department of labor and industries in cases in which it has an interest under RCW 68.50.103.  The coroner, the medical examiner, or the attending physician shall, upon request, meet with the family of the decedent to discuss the findings of the autopsy or post mortem. For the purposes of this section, the term "family" means the surviving spouse, or any child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, or sister of the decedent, or any person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of death.[1987 c 331 § 58; 1985 c 300 § 1; 1977 c 79 § 2; 1953 c 188 § 9. Formerly RCW 68.08.105.] RCW 68.50.106Autopsies, post mortems Analyses Opinions Evidence Costs.In any case in which an autopsy or post mortem is performed, the coroner or medical examiner, upon his or her own authority or upon the request of the prosecuting attorney or other law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, may make or cause to be made an analysis of the stomach contents, blood, or organs, or tissues of a deceased person and secure professional opinions thereon and retain or dispose of any specimens or organs of the deceased which in his or her discretion are desirable or needful for anatomic, bacteriological, chemical, or toxicological examination or upon lawful request are needed or desired for evidence to be presented in court. Costs shall be borne by the county.[1993 c 228 § 19; 1987 c 331 § 59; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 28 § 1; 1953 c 188 § 10. Formerly RCW 68.08.106.] RCW 68.50.108Autopsies, post mortems Consent to embalm or cremate body Time limitation.No dead body upon which the coroner, or prosecuting attorney, if there be no coroner in the county, may perform an autopsy or post mortem, shall be embalmed or cremated without the consent of the coroner having jurisdiction, and failure to obtain such consent shall be a misdemeanor: PROVIDED, That such autopsy or post mortem must be performed within five days, unless the coroner shall obtain an order from the superior court extending such time.[1953 c 188 § 8. Formerly RCW 68.08.108.] RCW 68.50.110Burial or cremating.Except in cases of dissection provided for in RCW 68.50.100, and where human remains shall rightfully be carried through or removed from the state for the purpose of burial elsewhere, human remains lying within this state, and the remains of any dissected body, after dissection, shall be decently buried, or cremated within a reasonable time after death.[2005 c 365 § 138; 1987 c 331 § 60; 1909 c 249 § 238; RRS § 2490. Formerly RCW 68.08.110.] RCW 68.50.130Unlawful disposal of remains.Every person who performs a disposition of any human remains, except as otherwise provided by law, in any place, except in a cemetery or a building dedicated exclusively for religious purposes, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Disposition of cremated human remains may also occur on private property, with the consent of the property owner; and on public or government lands or waters with the approval of the government agency that has either jurisdiction or control, or both, of the lands or waters.[2005 c 365 § 139; 1943 c 247 § 28; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-28. Formerly RCW 68.08.130.] RCW 68.50.140Unlawful disturbance, removal, or sale of human remains Penalty.(1) Every person who shall remove human remains, or any part thereof, from a grave, vault, or other place where the same has been buried or deposited awaiting burial or cremation, without authority of law, with intent to sell the same, or for the purpose of securing a reward for its return, or for dissection, or from malice or wantonness, is guilty of a class C felony.  (2) Every person who shall purchase or receive, except for burial or cremation, human remains or any part thereof, knowing that the same has been removed contrary to the foregoing provisions, is guilty of a class C felony.  (3) Every person who shall open a grave or other place of interment, temporary or otherwise, or a building where human remains are placed, with intent to sell or remove the casket, urn, or of any part thereof, or anything attached thereto, or any vestment, or other article interred, or intended to be interred with the human remains, is guilty of a class C felony.  (4) Every person who removes, disinters, or mutilates human remains from a place of interment, without authority of law, is guilty of a class C felony.[2005 c 365 § 140; 2003 c 53 § 308; 1992 c 7 § 44; 1909 c 249 § 239; RRS § 2491. FORMER PART OF SECTION: 1943 c 247 § 25 now codified as RCW 68.50.145. Formerly RCW 68.08.140.]Notes:Intent -- Effective date -- 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180. RCW 68.50.160Right to control disposition of remains Liability of funeral establishment or cemetery authority Liability for cost.(1) A person has the right to control the disposition of his or her own remains without the predeath or postdeath consent of another person. A valid written document expressing the decedent's wishes regarding the place or method of disposition of his or her remains, signed by the decedent in the presence of a witness, is sufficient legal authorization for the procedures to be accomplished.  (2) Prearrangements that are prepaid, or filed with a licensed funeral establishment or cemetery authority, under RCW 18.39.280 through 18.39.345 and chapter 68.46 RCW are not subject to cancellation or substantial revision by survivors. Absent actual knowledge of contrary legal authorization under this section, a licensed funeral establishment or cemetery authority shall not be held criminally nor civilly liable for acting upon such prearrangements.  (3) If the decedent has not made a prearrangement as set forth in subsection (2) of this section or the costs of executing the decedent's wishes regarding the disposition of the decedent's remains exceeds a reasonable amount or directions have not been given by the decedent, the right to control the disposition of the remains of a deceased person vests in, and the duty of disposition and the liability for the reasonable cost of preparation, care, and disposition of such remains devolves upon the following in the order named:  (a) The surviving spouse.  (b) The surviving adult children of the decedent.  (c) The surviving parents of the decedent.  (d) The surviving siblings of the decedent.  (e) A person acting as a representative of the decedent under the signed authorization of the decedent.  (4) If a cemetery authority as defined in RCW 68.04.190 or a funeral establishment licensed under chapter 18.39 RCW has made a good faith effort to locate the person cited in subsection (3)(a) through (e) of this section or the legal representative of the decedent's estate, the cemetery authority or funeral establishment shall have the right to rely on an authority to bury or cremate the human remains, executed by the most responsible party available, and the cemetery authority or funeral establishment may not be held criminally or civilly liable for burying or cremating the human remains. In the event any government agency provides the funds for the disposition of any human remains and the government agency elects to provide funds for cremation only, the cemetery authority or funeral establishment may not be held criminally or civilly liable for cremating the human remains.  (5) The liability for the reasonable cost of preparation, care, and disposition devolves jointly and severally upon all kin of the decedent in the same degree of kindred, in the order listed in subsection (3) of this section, and upon the estate of the decedent.[2005 c 365 § 141; 1993 c 297 § 1; 1992 c 108 § 1; 1943 c 247 § 29; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-29. Formerly RCW 68.08.160.]Notes:Disposal of remains of indigent persons: RCW 36.39.030.Order of payment of debts of estate: RCW 11.76.110. RCW 68.50.170Effect of authorization.Any person signing any authorization for the interment or cremation of any human remains warrants the truthfulness of any fact set forth in the authorization, the identity of the person whose human remains are sought to be interred or cremated, and his or her authority to order interments or cremation. That person is personally liable for all damage occasioned by or resulting from breach of such warranty.[2005 c 365 § 142; 1943 c 247 § 30; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-30. Formerly RCW 68.08.170.] RCW 68.50.185Individual cremation Exception Penalty.(1) A person authorized to dispose of human remains shall not cremate or cause to be cremated more than one human remains at a time unless written permission, after full and adequate disclosure regarding the manner of cremation, has been received from the person or persons under RCW 68.50.160 having the authority to order cremation. This restriction shall not apply when equipment, techniques, or devices are employed that keep human remains separate and distinct before, during, and after the cremation process.  (2) Violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.[2005 c 365 § 143; 1987 c 331 § 61; 1985 c 402 § 3. Formerly RCW 68.08.185.]Notes:Legislative finding -- 1985 c 402: "The legislature finds that certain practices in storing human remains and in performing cremations violate common notions of decency and generally held expectations. In enacting this legislation, the legislature is reaffirming that certain practices, which have never been acceptable, violate principles of human dignity." [1985 c 402 § 1.] RCW 68.50.200Permission to remove human remains.Human remains may be removed from a plot in a cemetery with the consent of the cemetery authority and the written consent of one of the following in the order named:  (1) The surviving spouse.  (2) The surviving children of the decedent.  (3) The surviving parents of the decedent.  (4) The surviving brothers or sisters of the decedent.  If the required consent cannot be obtained, permission by the superior court of the county where the cemetery is situated is sufficient: PROVIDED, That the permission shall not violate the terms of a written contract or the rules and regulations of the cemetery authority.[2005 c 365 § 144; 1943 c 247 § 33; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-33. Formerly RCW 68.08.200.] RCW 68.50.210Notice for order to remove remains.Notice of application to the court for such permission shall be given, at least ten days prior thereto, personally, or at least fifteen days prior thereto if by mail, to the cemetery authority and to the persons not consenting, and to every other person on whom service of notice may be required by the court.[1943 c 247 § 34; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-34. Formerly RCW 68.08.210.] RCW 68.50.220Exceptions.RCW 68.50.200 and 68.50.210 do not apply to or prohibit the removal of any human remains from one plot to another in the same cemetery or the removal of [human] remains by a cemetery authority from a plot for which the purchase price is past due and unpaid, to some other suitable place; nor do they apply to the disinterment of human remains upon order of court or coroner. However, a cemetery authority shall provide notification to the person cited in RCW 68.50.200 before moving human remains.[2005 c 365 § 145; 1987 c 331 § 62; 1943 c 247 § 35; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-35. Formerly RCW 68.08.220.] RCW 68.50.230Undisposed human remains Rules.Whenever any human remains shall have been in the lawful possession of any person, firm, corporation, or association for a period of ninety days or more, and the relatives of, or persons interested in, the deceased person shall fail, neglect, or refuse to direct the disposition, the human remains may be disposed of by the person, firm, corporation, or association having such lawful possession thereof, under and in accordance with rules adopted by the cemetery board and the board of funeral directors and embalmers, not inconsistent with any statute of the state of Washington or rule adopted by the state board of health.[2005 c 365 § 146; 1985 c 402 § 9; 1979 c 158 § 218; 1937 c 108 § 14; RRS § 8323-3. Formerly RCW 68.08.230.]Notes:Legislative finding -- 1985 c 402: See note following RCW 68.50.185. RCW 68.50.240Record of human remains to be kept.The person in charge of any premises on which interments or cremations are made shall keep a record of all human remains interred or cremated on the premises under his or her charge, in each case stating the name of each deceased person, date of cremation or interment, and name and address of the funeral establishment.[2005 c 365 § 147; 1943 c 247 § 39; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-39. Formerly RCW 68.08.240.] RCW 68.50.270Possession of cremated human remains.The person or persons determined under RCW 68.50.160 as having authority to order cremation shall be entitled to possession of the cremated human remains without further intervention by the state or its political subdivisions.[2005 c 365 § 148; 1987 c 331 § 63; 1977 c 47 § 4. Formerly RCW 68.08.245.] RCW 68.50.290Corneal tissue for transplantation Presumption of good faith.In any subsequent civil action in which the next of kin of a decedent contends that he/she affirmatively informed the county coroner or medical examiner or designee of his/her objection to removal of corneal tissue from the decedent, it shall be presumed that the county coroner or medical examiner acted in good faith and without knowledge of the objection.[1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 60 § 2. Formerly RCW 68.08.305.] RCW 68.50.300Release of information concerning a death.(1) The county coroner, medical examiner, or prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction may in such official's discretion release information concerning a person's death to the media and general public, in order to aid in identifying the deceased, when the identity of the deceased is unknown to the official and when he does not know the information to be readily available through other sources.  (2) The county coroner, medical examiner, or prosecuting attorney may withhold any information which directly or indirectly identifies a decedent until either:  (a) A notification period of forty-eight hours has elapsed after identification of the decedent by such official; or  (b) The next of kin of the decedent has been notified.  During the forty-eight hour notification period, such official shall make a good faith attempt to locate and notify the next of kin of the decedent.[1981 c 176 § 2. Formerly RCW 68.08.320.] RCW 68.50.310Dental identification system established Powers and duties.A dental identification system is established in the identification section of the Washington state patrol. The dental identification system shall act as a repository or computer center or both for dental examination records and it shall be responsible for comparing such records with dental records filed under RCW 68.50.330. It shall also determine which scoring probabilities are the highest for purposes of identification and shall submit such information to the coroner or medical examiner who prepared and forwarded the dental examination records. Once the dental identification system is established, operating funds shall come from the state general fund.[1987 c 331 § 65; 1983 1st ex.s. c 16 § 15. Formerly RCW 68.08.350.]Notes:Severability -- Effective date -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 16: See RCW 43.103.900 and 43.103.901. RCW 68.50.320Persons missing thirty days or more Request for consent to obtain dental records Submission of dental records to dental identification system Availability of files.When a person reported missing has not been found within thirty days of the report, the sheriff, chief of police, county coroner or county medical examiner, or other law enforcement authority initiating and conducting the investigation for the missing person shall ask the missing person's family or next of kin to give written consent to contact the dentist or dentists of the missing person and request the person's dental records.  When a person reported missing has not been found within thirty days, the sheriff, chief of police, or other law enforcement authority initiating and conducting the investigation for the missing person shall confer with the county coroner or medical examiner prior to the preparation of a missing person's report. After conferring with the coroner or medical examiner, the sheriff, chief of police, or other law enforcement authority shall submit a missing person's report and the dental records received under this section to the dental identification system of the state patrol *identification and criminal history section on forms supplied by the state patrol for such purpose.  When a person reported missing has been found, the sheriff, chief of police, coroner or medical examiner, or other law enforcement authority shall report such information to the state patrol.  The dental identification system shall maintain a file of information regarding persons reported to it as missing. The file shall contain the information referred to in this section and such other information as the state patrol finds relevant to assist in the location of a missing person.  The files of the dental identification system shall, upon request, be made available to law enforcement agencies attempting to locate missing persons.[2001 c 223 § 1; 1984 c 17 § 18; 1983 1st ex.s. c 16 § 16. Formerly RCW 68.08.355.]Notes:*Reviser's note: The "identification and criminal history section" has been redesignated the "identification, child abuse, vulnerable adult abuse, and criminal history section." See RCW 43.43.700.Severability -- Effective date -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 16: See RCW 43.103.900 and 43.103.901.Missing children clearinghouse and hot line: Chapter 13.60 RCW. RCW 68.50.330Identification of body or human remains by dental examination Comparison of dental examination records with dental records of dental identification system.If the county coroner or county medical examiner investigating a death is unable to establish the identity of a body or human remains by visual means, fingerprints, or other identifying data, he or she shall have a qualified dentist, as determined by the county coroner or county medical examiner, carry out a dental examination of the body or human remains. If the county coroner or county medical examiner with the aid of the dental examination and other identifying findings is still unable to establish the identity of the body or human remains, he or she shall prepare and forward such dental examination records within thirty days of the date the body or human remains were found to the dental identification system of the state patrol *identification and criminal history section on forms supplied by the state patrol for such purposes.  The dental identification system shall act as a repository or computer center or both with respect to such dental examination records. It shall compare such dental examination records with dental records filed with it and shall determine which scoring probabilities are the highest for the purposes of identification. It shall then submit such information to the county coroner or county medical examiner who prepared and forwarded the dental examination records.[2001 c 172 § 1; 1984 c 17 § 19; 1983 1st ex.s. c 16 § 17. Formerly RCW 68.08.360.]Notes:*Reviser's note: The "identification and criminal history section" has been redesignated the "identification, child abuse, vulnerable adult abuse, and criminal history section." See RCW 43.43.700.Severability -- Effective date -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 16: See RCW 43.103.900 and 43.103.901. RCW 68.50.500Identification of potential donors Hospital procedures.Each hospital shall develop procedures for identifying potential anatomical parts donors. The procedures shall require that any deceased individual's next of kin or other individual, as set forth in RCW 68.50.550, and the medical record does not specify the deceased as a donor, at or near the time of notification of death be asked whether the deceased was a part donor. If not, the family shall be informed of the option to donate parts pursuant to the uniform anatomical gift act. With the approval of the designated next of kin or other individual, as set forth in RCW 68.50.550, the hospital shall then notify an established procurement organization including those organ procurement agencies associated with a national organ procurement transportation network or other eligible donee, as specified in RCW 68.50.570, and cooperate in the procurement of the anatomical gift or gifts. The procedures shall encourage reasonable discretion and sensitivity to the family circumstances in all discussions regarding donations of parts. The procedures may take into account the deceased individual's religious beliefs or obvious nonsuitability for an anatomical parts donation. Laws pertaining to the jurisdiction of the coroner shall be complied with in all cases of reportable deaths pursuant to RCW 68.50.010.[1993 c 228 § 20; 1987 c 331 § 71; 1986 c 129 § 1. Formerly RCW 68.08.650.] RCW 68.50.510Good faith compliance with RCW 68.50.500 Hospital liability.No act or omission of a hospital in developing or implementing the provisions of RCW 68.50.500, when performed in good faith, shall be a basis for the imposition of any liability upon the hospital.  This section shall not apply to any act or omission of the hospital that constitutes gross negligence or wilful and wanton conduct.[1987 c 331 § 72; 1986 c 129 § 2. Formerly RCW 68.08.660.]