Autopsies (H 5473)

During March, the ACLU testified on a bill which amends current  state law designed to protect the religious freedom of Rhode Islanders by restricting autopsies when it would contravene the decedent’s religious beliefs. Specifically, the bill would remove the option for a “friend” of the deceased to object to an autopsy, and instead require that the objection come only from a family member or legal guardian. The ACLU testified that removing the “friend” authorization in those instances when a family member or guardian is not available is problematic. It serves as an important safeguard for those instances when no family member is available to provide information about a decedent’s religious beliefs. In order to preserve the important goal of religious freedom represented by this law, the ACLU urged that the language regarding a friend’s ability, in the absence of a family member, to object to an autopsy remain. No action was taken on this legislation before the June recess.