Section 7-206 - Death of individual in service or program. - Maryland Statutes

§ 7-206. Death of individual in service or program.
 

(a)  Report of death.-  

(1) Upon notification of the death of an individual in a program or facility funded or operated by the Administration, the administrative head of the program or facility shall report the death: 

(i) Immediately to the sheriff, police, or chief law enforcement official in the jurisdiction in which the death occurred; 

(ii) Immediately to the Secretary; and 

(iii) By the close of business the next working day to: 

1. The Director; 

2. The health officer in the jurisdiction where the death occurred; and 

3. The designated State protection and advocacy system. 

(2) A report may be: 

(i) Oral if followed by a written report within 5 working days from the date of the death; or 

(ii) Written. 

(3) A written report shall contain: 

(i) The name, age, and sex of the deceased; 

(ii) The time of discovery of the death; 

(iii) The deceased's place of residence at the time of death; 

(iv) The location where the body was discovered; 

(v) The name of the person who took custody of the body; 

(vi) The name of the person evaluating the death, if known; 

(vii) Whether or not an autopsy is being performed, if known; 

(viii) The name, address, and telephone number of the next of kin or legal guardian, if known; and 

(ix) Any other information the administrative head of the service or program determines should be provided to the medical examiner and the persons listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection on the deaths occurring: 

1. By violence; 

2. By suicide; 

3. By casualty; 

4. Suddenly, if the deceased was in apparent good health; or 

5. In any suspicious or unusual manner. 

(b)  Medical examiner informed; investigation.- The sheriff, police, or chief law enforcement officer shall inform a medical examiner in accordance with § 5-309(b) of this article, and the medical examiner, if necessary, shall conduct an investigation in accordance with the provisions of that section. 
 

[1998, ch. 136; 2001, ch. 640; 2009, ch. 656, § 3.]