Section 3. Investigation information.
(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding the act of February 14,
2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, and except
as provided in subsection (b), the following apply to public
release of information by a coroner or medical examiner:
(1) Following an investigation by a coroner or medical
examiner to determine the cause of any death in this
Commonwealth, the coroner or medical examiner shall not
release to the public the name of the deceased or the cause
and manner of death unless the release is in accordance with
the requirements under paragraph (2).
(2) Release of the information under paragraph (1) may
not occur until either notification of the next of kin of the
deceased individual is confirmed or 72 hours have elapsed
following the determination of the identity of the deceased
individual or the cause and manner of the death, whichever
occurs first.
(b) Public health emergencies.--Notwithstanding the
provisions of subsection (a), a coroner or medical examiner may
release to the public the name of the deceased and the cause and
manner of death at any time if the coroner or medical examiner
determines that the release is necessary to avert a public
health emergency.
SECTION 4. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
(A) GENERAL RULE.--A CORONER OR MEDICAL EXAMINER WHO ACTS IN
GOOD FAITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL
NOT BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL OR CIVIL LIABILITY ARISING FROM ANY
ACTION UNDER THIS ACT.
(B) NONAPPLICABILITY.--THE IMMUNITY PROVIDED BY SUBSECTION
(A) SHALL NOT APPLY TO ACTS OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR RECKLESSNESS.
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