§ 44-29-20 — Transportation and handling of human remains infected by dangerous, contagious, or infectious disease.

Prior to transportation of human remains known to be infected by any dangerous, contagious, or infectious disease into, through, or out of this State or any city, town, or county within this State, the hospital, health or medical clinic, physician, medical facility, person, or other entity in possession of the human remains shall inform any funeral director, ambulance driver, or any other person or entity who is to transport the remains that the remains are infected by a dangerous, contagious, or infectious disease. In the event that human remains as described above are not to be moved immediately but are to be operated on for purposes of autopsy or otherwise handled, any doctor, technician, or other person charged with the responsibility of handling the remains known to be infected by any dangerous, contagious, or infectious disease must be informed that the remains are so infected. For the purpose of enforcing this section, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (department) shall make and distribute, at intervals considered necessary by the department, to all hospitals, health or medical clinics, other medical facilities, persons, or other entities who may normally be in possession of human remains a list declaring what diseases are regarded as dangerous, contagious, or infectious and shall classify these diseases and shall designate the diseases as are of so dangerous a character that transportation of human remains infected by them is forbidden except under conditions as prescribed by the department which it considers proper for the transportation of those remains.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 32-556; 1952 Code SECTION 32-556; 1942 Code SECTION 5046; 1932 Code SECTION 5024; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 2334; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 1588; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 1094; 1900 (23) 408; 1972 (57) 2496; 1985 Act No. 81, SECTION 1.