Washington D.C. Council Bill 240203 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Completed Legislative Action
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: Passed on January 3 2023 - 100% progression
Action: 2023-01-13 - Act A24-0720 Published in DC Register Vol 70 and Page 000232
Text: Latest bill text (Enrolled) [PDF]

As introduced Bill 24-203 clarifies that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) case files are confidential, in line with the privacy protections provided for death certificates and medical records. It also clarifies access to OCME case files by government entities that need the information to carry out their functions. RACIAL EQUITY ANALYSIS NOTE - The bill’s provision allowing for OCME to transfer property to a person with the right to control the disposition of the decedent’s remains will have an inconclusive impact on District residents. Making external examination and autopsy reports public records under FOIA, while limiting who can access images and photos of the decedent will likely improve mental well-being, health, access to information, and privacy for Black District residents. The exceptions in Bill 24-0203 for OCME to release images for medical or scientific education or research will negatively affect Black District residents’ agency in medical and scientific settings. Please see REIA for more information.

Medical Examiner Records Privacy Act of 2021

Cnc. Phil Mendelson [D]

2022-12-06 - Council - Final Reading, CC (Y: 12 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 1) [PASS]
2022-11-15 - Council - First Reading, CC (Y: 12 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 1) [PASS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2023-01-13	Council	Act A24-0720 Published in DC Register Vol 70 and Page 000232
2023-01-10	Council	Transmitted to Congress, Projected Law Date is Mar 08, 2023
2023-01-04	Council	Returned from Mayor
2023-01-03	Council	Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A24-0720
2022-12-19	Council	Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on January 4, 2023
2022-12-06	Council	Final Reading, CC
2022-11-15	Council	First Reading, CC
2022-11-08	Council	Committee Report Filed
2022-11-03	Council	Committee Mark-up of B24-0203
2022-11-02	Council	Notice of Mark-up filed in the Office of Secretary
2021-05-03	Council	Public Hearing Held
2021-04-16	Council	Notice of Public Hearing Published in the DC Register
2021-04-14	Council	Notice of Public Hearing Published in the DC Register
2021-04-09	Council	Notice of Intent to Act on B24-0203 Published in the DC Register
2021-04-06	Council	Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
2021-04-01	Council	Introduced in Office of the Secretary

Type	Source
Summary	https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B24-0203
Text	https://lims.dccouncil.gov/downloads/LIMS/46929/Introduction/B24-0203-Introduction.pdf
Text	https://lims.dccouncil.gov/downloads/LIMS/46929/Meeting1/Engrossment/B24-0203-Engrossment1.pdf
Text	https://lims.dccouncil.gov/downloads/LIMS/46929/Meeting2/Enrollment/B24-0203-Enrollment1.pdf
Roll Call	https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B24-0203