Sec. 5a.
(1) When a child under the age of 2 years dies within this state under circumstances of sudden death, cause unknown, or found dead, cause unknown, that death shall be immediately reported to the county medical examiner or deputy county medical examiner of the county where the body is located. The county medical examiner or deputy county medical examiner shall inform the parents or legal guardians of the child that they may request an autopsy to be performed on the child. The state shall cover the costs of an autopsy requested under this section. The county medical examiner or the deputy county medical examiner shall arrange the autopsy requested under this section and shall promptly notify the parents or legal guardians of the results of that autopsy. The county medical examiner or the deputy county medical examiner shall report the costs of the autopsy performed under this section to the director of the department of community health. If the director determines the claim to be reasonable and proper, he or she shall reimburse the person for the costs incurred under this section out of funds appropriated for this purpose by the legislature. Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with the duties and responsibilities of the county medical examiner or deputy county medical examiner as provided in this act.
(2) The department of community health shall promulgate rules and regulations under this act to promote consistency and accuracy among county medical examiners and deputy county medical examiners in determining the cause of death under this section. The department may adopt, by reference in its rules, all or any part of the “State of Michigan Protocols to Determine Cause and Manner of Sudden and Unexplained Child Deaths” published by the Michigan child death review program.
History: Add. 1974, Act 350, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1974 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 179, Imd. Eff. July 1, 2004
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Act 181 of 1953 - County Medical Examiners (52.201 - 52.216)
Section 52.201b - Repealed. 2002, Act 22, Imd. Eff. Mar. 4, 2002.
Section 52.201d - Deputy County Medical Examiners; Appointment in Counties Under Civil Service.
Section 52.201e - County Medical Examiner and Deputies; Compensation and Expenses.
Section 52.201f - County Medical Examiner and Deputies; Removal.
Section 52.206 - Private Morgue; Compensation.
Section 52.211 - County Medical Examiner; Records.
Section 52.212 - County Medical Examiner and Deputies; Testimony, Expenses.
Section 52.213b - Coroner; Transfer of Records.
Section 52.213c - County Health Officer; Designation as County Medical Examiner.
Section 52.214, 52.215 - Repealed. 1969, Act 92, Imd. Eff. July 24, 1969.
Section 52.216 - Coroners; Completion of Term After Effective Date of Act.