VermontVermont law lets others seek autopsy reports through courts
Starting July 1, 2026, estate representatives must receive autopsy reports, and other people may ask a court for a copy by explaining their reason.
What it does
The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office must give the report to the deceased person’s personal representative, following federal health privacy rules. Federal law may also allow disclosure to other people.
Other people may ask a court for a copy. The court may release all or part of the report for good cause and may limit how the person shares it.
Argument forPeople with a reason to seek a report could ask a court to weigh their request against family privacy and any ongoing criminal investigation.
Argument againstFamilies could face a loss of privacy if a court releases sensitive details, even when it limits sharing or removes some information.
More detail
The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office must give the autopsy report to the deceased person’s personal representative. A personal representative includes a court-appointed executor or estate administrator, and the deceased person’s heir under Vermont law. Disclosure must follow federal health privacy law. This rule does not prevent disclosure to other people when federal law allows it. This provision takes effect July 1, 2026.
A person who is not authorized to receive the report may ask the Probate Division of Superior Court for a copy. This option is for people who are not already authorized to receive the report under the personal representative rule. The petition must include an affidavit explaining the petitioner’s relationship to the deceased and why they seek the report. The petitioner must notify the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office and the county State’s Attorney within five days after filing; they have 14 days after notice to respond. The court must find good cause, and may provide all or part of the report and limit sharing. It must weigh family ties, public review of government performance, privacy, whether removing details would be less intrusive, similar public records, and any Ö This provision takes effect July 1, 2026. A person may file again if information changes in a significant way.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 23Senate Message: Signed by Governor Phil Scott April 22, 2026Latest
- Apr 23Signed by Governor Phil Scott on April 22, 2026Became Law
- Apr 16Delivered to Governor on April 16, 2026To Governor
- Apr 9Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- Apr 8As passed by Senate and HouseMajor
- Apr 8House proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- Apr 8House proposal of amendment; textMinor
- Apr 8House proposal of amendmentMinor
- Apr 7House proposal of amendmentMinor
- Apr 7Entered on Notice Calendar
- Apr 3House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
- Apr 2Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 2Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Apr 1Third Reading orderedMinor
- Apr 1Report of Committee on Human Services agreed to
- Apr 1Rep. Steady of Milton reported for the Committee on Human Services
- Apr 1Read second timeMinor
- Apr 1Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Mar 31Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Feb 27Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human ServicesMinor
- Feb 25Read 3rd time & passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Feb 25Unfinished Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 24New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 203rd reading ordered
- Feb 20Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to
- Feb 20Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Cummings for Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Feb 20Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Feb 20Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 19Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Feb 19Entered on Notice Calendar
- Jan 7Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and WelfareIntroduced
Healthcare