2005 Connecticut Code - Sec. 19a-281. (Formerly Sec. 19-139m). Removal of corneal or pituitary tissue during autopsy. Authorization.

      Sec. 19a-281. (Formerly Sec. 19-139m). Removal of corneal or pituitary tissue during autopsy. Authorization. (a) Where an autopsy, authorized pursuant to section 19a-406, is to be performed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the official responsible for conducting the autopsy has reason to believe, (1) that the pituitary or corneal tissue would be beneficial to the health of a living person and (2) that such tissue could be removed without any resulting disfigurement to the body or interference with the subsequent course of the investigation or autopsy, such official shall, if no objection by the decedent's next of kin is known at the time of autopsy and the decedent was not a known member of a religious group with a public position in opposition to tissue removal, remove such deceased person's corneal or pituitary tissue and deposit it in the appropriate bank or storage facility.

      (b) Any medical examiner or other authorized official, who acts in good faith and in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) with respect to the corneal or pituitary tissue of a decedent, shall not be liable for damages in any civil action or subject to prosecution in any criminal proceeding for his act.

      (P.A. 79-278; P.A. 82-260.)

      History: P.A. 82-260 replaced requirement that an official performing an autopsy request the permission of person authorized to make anatomical donations before removing tissue with provision allowing removal if next of kin not known to object and if religious opposition is not a factor and added Subsec. (b) protecting official who acts in good faith from civil or criminal liability; Sec. 19-139m transferred to Sec. 19a-281 in 1983.

      Cited. 194 C. 635, 644.