36-860. County medical examiners; authorization

A. The medical examiner or individual legally delegated that authority may release and permit the removal of a part from or all of a body within the custody of that official for transplantation, therapy, research or education pursuant to title 11, chapter 3, article 12 if the part is the subject of an anatomical gift and:

1. A request has been received from a procurement organization.

2. The organ procurement organization has made a reasonable effort, taking into account the useful life of the part, to locate and examine the decedent's medical records and, if the decedent has not executed a document of gift or has not refused to make an anatomical gift, inform persons listed in section 36-848, subsection A, of the person's option to make or object to making an anatomical gift.

3. The official does not know of a refusal by the decedent or an objection by a person having priority to act as listed in section 36-848, subsection A.

4. The removal will be by a physician, surgeon or trained technician.

5. The removal will be in accordance with accepted medical standards.

6. The removal will not interfere with any death investigation.

7. Cosmetic restoration will be done, if appropriate.

B. An official who releases and permits the removal of a part shall maintain a permanent record of the name of the decedent, the person making the request, the date and purpose of the request, the part requested and the person to whom it was released.