RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

* * * * * *

RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2007-08 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION PROGRAM TO INCLUDE A LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR A NEXT-OF-KIN “RIGHT TO KNOW” LAW

______________________________________________________________

RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

WHEREAS, current law grants the Coroner the right to retain parts of the body removed at the time of autopsy or acquired during a coroner's investigation as may, in the opinion of the Coroner, be necessary or advisable; and

WHEREAS, with minor exceptions, current law does not require notification or consent of next of kin; and

WHEREAS, the discovery that a coroner has removed and retained a body part, especially if a family has already buried their loved one, can prevent closure by survivors and cause other serious difficulties; and

WHEREAS, the Next-of-Kin “Right to Know” proposal would require coroners to notify, in a timely manner, known next of kin that the coroner may retain parts of a body; and

WHEREAS, this proposal would exempt notification if it would interfere with a criminal investigation; and

WHEREAS, this proposal, if enacted, could help next of kin in the grieving and burial process and ensure that, to the degree feasible, the family will be able to understand the circumstances surrounding the handling of remains of their family member.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the Board of Supervisors amends the 2007-08 State Legislative Session Program to include a legislative proposal for a Next-of-Kin “Right to Know” law.

* * * * * *