2017 New Jersey Revised Statutes
TITLE 52 - STATE GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS
Section 52:17B-88.3 - Waiting period
52:17B-88.3. Waiting period
Whenever, in the opinion of a medical examiner, there is a compelling public necessity under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of subsection a. of section 1 of this act to perform an autopsy or dissection, and a member of the deceased's immediate family or, in the absence thereof, a friend objects that the autopsy or dissection is contrary to the religious beliefs of the deceased or there is an obvious reason to believe that the autopsy or dissection is contrary to the religious beliefs of the deceased, then no dissection or autopsy shall be performed until 48 hours after notice thereof is given by the medical examiner to the objecting party, or, if there is no objecting party, to such party as the court may name. During that 48-hour period, the objecting party or the party named by the court may institute action in the Superior Court to determine the propriety of the dissection or autopsy, but the court may dispense with the waiting period upon ex parte motion if it determines that the delay may prejudice the accuracy of the autopsy or dissection.
L.1983, c. 535, s. 3.
