H.P. 1490 - L.D. 2089
An Act to Establish Reasonable Fees for Reports and Other Items From the Office of Chief Medical Examiner
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3035 is enacted to read:
1. Fees. Except as provided in subsections 3 and 4, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner shall charge a fee for providing report documents, histological slides and other items or additional services sought by a person entitled to obtain that item or service relating to a medical examiner case. Fees are to be paid in advance and according to the following fee schedule:
A. For report documents, the fees are as follows:
(1) Report documents when no autopsy has been performed, $10;
(2) Report documents when an autopsy has been performed, $25; and
(3) Report documents under subparagraphs (1) and (2) accompanied by a certificate under section 3022, subsection 6, an additional fee of $35, $25 of which accrues to the Secretary of State;
B. For histological slides, the fees are as follows:
(1) For each slide, $10;
(2) A handling fee per case, $20; and
(3) For 21 slides or more, an additional handling fee, $20; and
C. For other items and services such as photographs and transparencies, additional tests relating to toxocology or specimens and videotaping:
(1) A handling fee per case, $20; and
(2) Anticipated costs of providing the item or service, including shipping charges.
2. Report documents. For purposes of this section, "report documents" in a medical examiner case include the written report under section 3028, subsection 7; the written report of the findings of the autopsy under section 3028, subsection 8; and associated reports, including, but not limited to, toxicological reports, reports of forensic experts, reports of consultants and reports relating to harvested organs.
3. Exemptions. Exemptions from paying the fees established in subsection 1 are as follows.
A. A governmental agency is exempt from all fees in subsection 1.
B. A health care provider who has rendered service to the deceased is exempt from fees for the copy of report documents under subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraphs (1) and (2).
C. A next of kin of the deceased, as defined under section 2843-A, is exempt from the fee for one copy per family of report documents under subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraphs (1) and (2).
4. Waiver. Notwithstanding the fee schedule under subsection 1, paragraph A, fees for report documents relating to a medical examiner case may be waived at the discretion of the Chief Medical Examiner.
5. Deposit of fees. All fees collected must be deposited in a dedicated account within the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. At the end of each fiscal year, the State Controller shall transfer all unencumbered balances in excess of $500 to the General Fund as undedicated revenue.
Sec. 2. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue to carry out the purposes of this Act.
1998-99
ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE
Chief Medical Examiner - Office of
All Other $13,750
Provides for the allocation of funds for costs related to providing documents, slides and other items or services related to medical examiner cases.
Effective June 30, 1998, unless otherwise indicated.
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