(a) On request from a qualified procurement organization, the county coroner may permit the removal of organs that constitute an anatomical gift from a decedent who died under circumstances requiring an inquest by the coroner.

(b) If no autopsy is required, the organs to be removed may be released to the qualified procurement organization.

(c) If an autopsy is required and the county coroner determines that the removal of the organs will not interfere with the subsequent course of an investigation or autopsy, the organs may be released for removal. The autopsy shall be performed following the removal of the organs.

(d) If a county coroner is considering withholding one or more organs of a potential donor for any reason, the county coroner, or his or her designee, upon request from a qualified organ procurement organization, shall be present during the procedure to remove the organs. The county coroner, or his or her designee, may request a biopsy of those organs or deny removal of the organs if necessary. If the county coroner, or his or her designee, denies removal of the organs, the county coroner may do any of the following:

(1) In the investigative report, explain in writing the reasons for the denial.

(2) Provide the explanation to the qualified organ procurement organization.

(e) If the county coroner, or his or her designee, is present during the removal of the organs, the qualified procurement organization requesting the removal of the organ shall reimburse the county of the coroner, or his or her designee, for the actual costs incurred in performing the duty specified in subdivision (d), if reimbursement is requested by the county coroner. The payment shall be applied to the additional costs incurred by the county coroner’s office in performing the duty specified in subdivision (d).

(f) The health care professional removing organs from a decedent who died under circumstances requiring an inquest shall file with the county coroner a report detailing the condition of the organs removed and their relationship, if any, to the cause of death.

(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 629, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)