Section 5-501 - Consent for postmortem examination. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-501. Consent for postmortem examination.
 

(a)  In general.- Consent for a postmortem examination of a body by a physician is sufficient if the consent is given as provided in this section. 

(b)  Persons authorized to consent.-  

(1) The consent may be given by any one of the following persons if that person, whether alone or with another, has assumed control of the body for its final disposition: 

(i) A parent; 

(ii) A spouse; 

(iii) A domestic partner; 

(iv) A child; 

(v) A guardian; 

(vi) A next of kin; or 

(vii) In the absence of these persons, any other person. 

(2) If a person does not assume control of a body under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the consent may be given by the State Anatomy Board. 

(c)  Form of consent.- The consent may be in the form of: 

(1) A written document; 

(2) A telegram; or 

(3) A recorded telephonic or other recorded message. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 43, § 131; 1982, ch. 21, § 2; 2008, ch. 590.]