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Read. Follow. Verify.Ohio bill requires coroners to notify next of kin about private autopsies and expands BMV emergency contact database
Last action · August 12, 2026: IntroducedSponsor: Jason Stephens
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What This Bill Would Do
Ohio coroners must make reasonable efforts, using a Bureau of Motor Vehicles next-of-kin database, to promptly inform families of motor vehicle accident victims about the option to request a private autopsy. The measure also requires coroners to immediately consult with organ s regarding medical suitability when taking possession of an identified donor's body, and mandates that law enforcement adopt policies for notifying following severe crashes.
Families of motor vehicle accident victims gain a statutory right to be informed about private autopsies by coroners, while coroners and s face strict procedural requirements for managing organ recovery and family notifications.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Coroners
Coroners must search the BMV database to notify next of kin of the option for a private autopsy, assist in facilitating private autopsies, and immediately consult procurement organizations for identified donors.
Next of kin of motor vehicle accident victims
Family members receive prompt notification regarding private autopsy options and emergency situations, and they assume financial responsibility if they choose to request a private autopsy.
Law enforcement agencies
Law enforcement agencies must develop and adopt written policies for determining and notifying next of kin within two hours for severe or fatal motor vehicle accidents.
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The bureau must establish and maintain a next-of-kin database, provide information forms during license applications without a fee, and adopt rules to implement the database.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for paying for a private autopsy requested under this measure?
Who is permitted to access the Bureau of Motor Vehicles next-of-kin database?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
1 action- Aug 12, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legislature.ohio.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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