Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The Senate State and Local Government Committee unanimously passed a bill that would keep autopsy reports of murdered children hidden from the public on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 2020 (SB2020), sponsored by Senator Shane Reeves (R-Bedford/Cannon/Moore/Rutherford-District 14), states that reports of county medical examiners and autopsy reports of victims who are minors would no longer be public record.
Parental consent would be required for the release of that information, as long as the parent or legal guardian was not a suspect in the case.
Reeves introduced the bill, noting that individuals would still be allowed to request to view records and make notes, but they would not be allowed to take any pictures or photocopies of them.
The committee first passed an amendment that would add additional circumstances in which records could be released. This would include a court order that requires release, a requirement by another state or federal law, or a DCS investigation that requires the records.
Deborah Fisher, Executive Director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, was on hand to answer questions, but she was only asked to answer the question of who could see autopsies for minors now. She noted that they were public record except for photos of the deceased, which are confidential.
In previous testimony before the House of Representatives, Fisher opposed the bill, stating that a bill such as this one would shield violent perpetrators who have murdered a child from a just consequence, and they are necessary to help keep the government accountable.
“This bill assumes that police and prosecutors always get it right. Every couple of years, a story emerges in which a local journalist has used an autopsy – often working with a frustrated extended family member and not necessarily the parent – to shine light on both mistakes and attempted coverups,” Fisher said in her testimony to the House.
A roll call vote was requested by Chairman Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville-District 7). All 9 committee members in attendance voted for the bill.
Companion House Bill 1695 (HB1695), sponsored by Representative Rebecca Alexander (R-Jonesborough-District 7), was passed by the House on March 4.
SB2020 will move on to the Senate Calendar Committee for scheduling to be heard on the Senate floor.
