§45-4-60.09. Persons in county having knowledge of certain deaths.

Any person in the county having knowledge concerning a death occurring under the categories defined in Section 45-4-60.04 shall promptly report the death to the county medical examiner or to any law enforcement agency that in turn shall promptly report the death to the county medical examiner. Each death reportable to the county medical examiner shall be reported whether the cause is known or suspected, primary or contributory, or recent, delayed, or remote. No one shall disturb or remove the body or human remains until authorized by the county medical examiner unless the removal is required for the purpose of preserving the body or human remains until authorized by the county medical examiner except for the purpose of preserving the body or human remains from loss or destruction. Except as otherwise provided by law, any person who knowingly fails to make the report or withholds related medical or other evidence, or wilfully alters the body or related evidence without authority of the county medical examiner shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined or sentenced, or both, according to law.

(Act 99-366, p. 586, §10.)