A. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) shall store biological specimens in the control of the OCME for the potential purpose of independent analyses in matters of civil law, only upon receipt of a written request for such storage and payment of a storage fee. The fee shall be paid by the person requesting storage to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The Board shall promulgate rules establishing a fee for storage of such biological specimens which shall not exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per year for a period of time not to exceed five (5) years. All fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be deposited to the credit of the Chief Medical Examiner Revolving Fund.

B. 1. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is authorized to perform drug screens on specimens in the custody of the OCME, provided the request is made by an agency or party authorized to receive such information. The OCME may limit drug screens within the technical and physical capabilities of the OCME.

2. The authorization for drug screens shall apply only to specimens from cases already within the jurisdiction of the OCME and only when the analyses are deemed by the Chief Medical Examiner or Deputy Chief Medical Examiner not to conflict with any investigation of the case by the state.

3. The Board of Medicolegal Investigations shall establish a fee for drug screen services by rule. All fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be deposited to the Chief Medical Examiner Revolving Fund.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 607, § 18, eff. Jan. 2, 1962. Amended by Laws 1963, c. 302, § 4, emerg. eff. June 19, 1963; Laws 1968, c. 182, § 2; Laws 1972, c. 246, § 17, emerg. eff. April 7, 1972; Laws 1996, c. 234, § 4, eff. July 1, 1996; Laws 2004, c. 559, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2004; Laws 2014, c. 293, § 17, eff. Nov. 1, 2014; Laws 2017, c. 343, § 2.