SUBPOENA POWER FOR COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER

House Bill 4166

Sponsor: Rep. Gerald Van Woerkom

Committee: Civil Law and the Judiciary

Complete to 2-13-01

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4166 AS INTRODUCED 2-08-01

County medical examiners are required by law (Public Act 181 of 1953) to investigate the causes of death under certain circumstances, including when someone dies violently or unexpectedly or without medical attendance under certain circumstances or as the result of an abortion. The bill would amend the act to allow county medical examiners (or deputy medical examiners) to issue a subpoena (to produce medical records, books, papers, documents, or other items related to the death) while conducting such investigations. If such a subpoena were not obeyed, the county medical examiner or deputy county medical examiner could petition the circuit court for the county in which the death occurred to require the production of the items described in the subpoena, and the circuit court could issue an order requiring a person to produce the items. Failure to obey the court order could be punished as a contempt of court.

MCL 52.202

Analyst: S. Ekstrom

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.