Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
§ 49A.202 — INFORMED CONSENT TO POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION OR AUTOPSY REQUIRED
CR § 49A.202Title 1. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · Ch. 49A. DEATH INQUESTS · Art. E. INFORMED CONSENT FOR POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION OR AUTOPSY IN ALL COUNTIES
Statute text
View on source(a)Except as provided by Subsection (b), a physician may not perform, or assist in the performance of, a postmortem examination or autopsy on the body of a deceased person unless the physician obtains the written informed consent of a person authorized to provide consent under Article 49A.203. The consent must be provided on the form prescribed under Article 49A.204.
(b)If, after exercising due diligence, a physician is unable to identify or contact a person authorized under Article 49A.203 to give consent to a postmortem examination or autopsy on the body of a deceased person, the physician may perform the examination or autopsy. The physician must:
(1)be authorized by a medical examiner, justice of the peace, or county judge, as appropriate, to perform the postmortem examination or autopsy; and
(2)perform the postmortem examination or autopsy not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours from the time:
(A)of the deceased person's death; or
(B)the physician or other person took possession of the body. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027. Text of article effective on April 01, 2027