Revises provisions relating to certain records of investigations of deaths. (BDR 20-452)

Under existing law, with certain exceptions, all sheriffs in this State are ex officio coroners. (NRS 259.020) Existing law requires a coroner to conduct an investigation when the coroner or the coroner's deputy is informed that a person has been killed, has committed suicide or has suddenly died under certain circumstances. (NRS 259.050) Section 2 of this bill provides, with certain exceptions, that the final report of a coroner for the investigation is a public record. Section 2 also: (1) authorizes a coroner to redact or withhold from public disclosure certain information, records, documents or materials under certain circumstances; and (2) provides that, with certain exceptions, certain records, documents and materials contained in the case file or final report of a coroner for the investigation are confidential. Existing law authorizes a board of county commissioners to create the office of the county coroner by ordinance and prescribe the qualifications and duties of the county coroner. (NRS 244.163) If created, the office of county coroner enacted by ordinance is governed by the ordinance and certain provisions of existing law relating to coroners. (NRS 244.163, 259.010) Sections 1 and 3 of this bill provide that the case files and final reports of a coroner whose office is enacted by ordinance are also governed by the provisions of section 2. Section 4 of this bill makes a conforming change to reflect that certain records are confidential pursuant to section 2.