Access to Autopsy Reports
Summary
Vermont Senate passed S0210, granting public access to autopsy reports. The bill passed the Senate on February 25, 2026, and received final House passage on April 2, 2026. Sponsored by Sens. Hardy, Gulick, and Lyons, the legislation amends Vermont law to allow next of kin and authorized persons to obtain autopsy reports upon request.
What changed
Vermont enacted S0210 to expand access to autopsy reports by next of kin and authorized individuals. The bill passed through the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Committee on Human Services before final passage. This legislation modifies existing public records provisions specifically related to death investigation records.
Government agencies and medical examiners in Vermont must update their records release procedures to comply with this new access right. Families and authorized individuals seeking autopsy reports should submit requests to the relevant medical examiner or governmental authority. Non-compliance could result in denial of access claims and potential legal challenges under the new statutory framework.
What to do next
- Update records release procedures for autopsy reports to reflect expanded access
- Train staff on new eligibility requirements for requesting autopsy reports
- Review current request forms and processes for compliance with S0210 provisions
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Vermont / S0210 Passed S0210 S Passed 2026-02-25
An act relating to access to autopsy reports
Bill Details
State Vermont
Session 2025-2026 Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S...
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Sponsors
Ruth Hardy (Sen - D) Martine Gulick (Sen - D) Virginia Lyons (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-02 H Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment 2026-04-02 H Action Calendar: Third Reading 2026-04-01 H Third Reading ordered 2026-04-01 H Report of Committee on Human Services agreed to 2026-04-01 H Rep. Steady of Milton reported for the Committee on Human Services 2026-04-01 H Read second time 2026-04-01 H Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment 2026-03-31 H Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment 2026-02-27 H Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services 2026-02-25 S Read 3rd time & passed 2026-02-25 S Unfinished Business/Third Reading 2026-02-24 S New Business/Third Reading 2026-02-20 S 3rd reading ordered 2026-02-20 S Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to 2026-02-20 S Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Cummings for Committee on Health and Welfare 2026-02-20 S Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare 2026-02-20 S Second Reading 2026-02-19 S Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare 2026-02-19 S Entered on Notice Calendar 2026-01-07 S Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare
Committee Referrals
2026-01-07 S Health and Welfare 2026-02-27 H Human Services
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-06 Introduced 2026-03-11 Engrossed Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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