Kentucky Statutes 72.480 – Death notification requirements — Emergency medical assistance
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(1) A coroner shall follow the requirements of subsection (3) of this section relating to notification of a spouse, if any, or next of kin, when the coroner has reason to believe that the spouse, if any, or next of kin has not yet been notified of the decedent‘s death, and:
(a) A coroner is acting under KRS § 72.450 and has reason to believe that the spouse, if any, or next of kin of the decedent resides in the coroner’s jurisdiction; or
(b) A coroner has received notification from another official that a spouse, if any,
or next of kin of a decedent resides in the coroner’s jurisdiction.
(2) A coroner is not required to follow subsection (3) of this section when the coroner is acting under KRS § 72.450, but has reason to believe that the spouse, if any, or next of kin of the decedent resides outside of the coroner’s jurisdiction. In that event, the coroner shall only be required to contact the coroner or other official responsible for providing notification in that jurisdiction regarding the decedent’s death.
(3) When providing notification to the spouse, if any, or next of kin of a decedent regarding the decedent’s death, the coroner shall:
(a) Prior to the notification:
1. Contact, through nonemergency means and without disclosing any information identifying the decedent or spouse, if any, or next of kin of the decedent, an entity capable of providing emergency medical assistance;
2. Inform the entity that a notification is planned to take place; and
3. Confirm that the entity is capable of providing a prompt emergency response.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit a coroner from disclosing any information identifying the decedent or spouse, if any, or next of kin of a decedent to an entity capable of providing emergency assistance in the case of an emergency;
(b) Arrange for another member of the coroner’s office or, if another member is not available, a law enforcement officer, member of the clergy, professional grief counselor, or other respected member of the community to assist, in person, in providing the notification;
(c) Provide the notification orally, in person, and in a respectful manner;
(d) Assist the recipient of the notification in contacting family or friends, and, in the event that the recipient is alone, remain with the recipient of the notification for as long as practicable or until a friend, family member, or other person is able to arrive and attend to the recipient;
(e) Provide information to the recipient of the notification regarding the handling of the decedent’s remains, contact information for the coroner’s office, and information regarding organizations that provide grief counseling; and
(f) Conduct a follow-up communication with the recipient of the notification
within forty-eight (48) hours of providing the notification.
Effective: July 14, 2022
History: Created 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 138, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2022.
Legislative Research Commission Note (7/14/2022). 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 138, sec. 6, provides that the Act, which created this statute and amended KRS § 64.185 and
72.415, may be cited as Nathan’s Law.
(a) A coroner is acting under KRS § 72.450 and has reason to believe that the spouse, if any, or next of kin of the decedent resides in the coroner’s jurisdiction; or
Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 72.480
- Decedent: A deceased person.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
(b) A coroner has received notification from another official that a spouse, if any,
or next of kin of a decedent resides in the coroner’s jurisdiction.
(2) A coroner is not required to follow subsection (3) of this section when the coroner is acting under KRS § 72.450, but has reason to believe that the spouse, if any, or next of kin of the decedent resides outside of the coroner’s jurisdiction. In that event, the coroner shall only be required to contact the coroner or other official responsible for providing notification in that jurisdiction regarding the decedent’s death.
(3) When providing notification to the spouse, if any, or next of kin of a decedent regarding the decedent’s death, the coroner shall:
(a) Prior to the notification:
1. Contact, through nonemergency means and without disclosing any information identifying the decedent or spouse, if any, or next of kin of the decedent, an entity capable of providing emergency medical assistance;
2. Inform the entity that a notification is planned to take place; and
3. Confirm that the entity is capable of providing a prompt emergency response.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit a coroner from disclosing any information identifying the decedent or spouse, if any, or next of kin of a decedent to an entity capable of providing emergency assistance in the case of an emergency;
(b) Arrange for another member of the coroner’s office or, if another member is not available, a law enforcement officer, member of the clergy, professional grief counselor, or other respected member of the community to assist, in person, in providing the notification;
(c) Provide the notification orally, in person, and in a respectful manner;
(d) Assist the recipient of the notification in contacting family or friends, and, in the event that the recipient is alone, remain with the recipient of the notification for as long as practicable or until a friend, family member, or other person is able to arrive and attend to the recipient;
(e) Provide information to the recipient of the notification regarding the handling of the decedent’s remains, contact information for the coroner’s office, and information regarding organizations that provide grief counseling; and
(f) Conduct a follow-up communication with the recipient of the notification
within forty-eight (48) hours of providing the notification.
Effective: July 14, 2022
History: Created 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 138, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2022.
Legislative Research Commission Note (7/14/2022). 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 138, sec. 6, provides that the Act, which created this statute and amended KRS § 64.185 and
72.415, may be cited as Nathan’s Law.