Washington Code 68.50.300 – Release of information concerning a death
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
|
Other versions
(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 or she does not know the information to be readily available through other sources.
Terms Used In Washington Code 68.50.300
- 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.
- person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
(2)(a) The county coroner, medical examiner, or prosecuting attorney may withhold any information which directly or indirectly identifies a decedent until either:
(i) A notification period of forty-eight hours has elapsed after identification of the decedent by such official; or
(ii) The next of kin of the decedent has been notified.
(b) 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.
(3) The county coroner, medical examiner, or prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction may release information contained in a report of death, as defined in chapter 70.58A RCW, to the media and general public.