Share
Email
PrintWashington state Senate passes bill allowing halt to autopsies
(JTA) -- Washington's state Senate approved a bill that would allow families to block autopsies for religious reasons.
Under the measure, which passed Feb. 9 by a vote of 46 to 2, families would have 48 hours to register religious objections to an autopsy, the News Tribune reported.
Sen. Adam Kline, a Seattle Democrat, introduced the bill after the family of an Orthodox Jewish man who died on Mount Rainier in December objected to an autopsy, ultimately taking the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office to court over its religious objections.
The coroner in some cases can still ask a court to order an autopsy despite a religious objection.
Don't miss out! Get the JTA Daily Briefing delivered FREE to your inbox!
Click to login and write a letter to the editor.
This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.
Featured Content
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
- Senate distinguishes between Palestinian refugees and descendants
- Manhattan’s Jewish Center holds Fleet Week memorial service
- Hynes singles out haredi community as harassers of sexual assault victims
- Iran nuke talks stall over sanctions
- South African Jewish leaders say trade minister is adamant on West Bank labeling
- Turkish lawyer: Israel offered to pay Marmara victims $6 million
- Amnesty International report raps Israel for Gaza blockade
- Egypt holds first round of voting in presidential election
