2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE › Subtitle 2: HEALTH › Part 6: BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS › Chapter 711: MEDICAL EXAMINER ACT › 22 §3035. Fees

§3035. Fees
1.  Fees.
Except as provided in subsections 3 and 4, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner shall charge a fee for providing report documents, histological slides and other items or additional services sought by a person entitled to obtain that item or service relating to a medical examiner case. Fees are to be paid in advance and according to the following fee schedule:
A. For report documents, the fees are as follows:
(1) Report documents when no autopsy has been performed, $15;
(2) Report documents when an autopsy has been performed, $35; and
(3) Report documents under subparagraphs (1) and (2) accompanied by a certificate under section 3022, subsection 6, an additional fee of $35, $25 of which accrues to the Secretary of State;   [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. FFF, §1 (AMD).]
B. For histological slides, the fees are as follows:
(1) For each slide, $12.50;
(2) A handling fee per case, $25; and
(3) For 21 slides or more, an additional handling fee, $25;   [PL 2017, c. 335, §2 (AMD).]
C. For other items and services such as photographs and transparencies, additional tests relating to toxicology or specimens and videotaping:
(1) A handling fee per case, $20; and
(2) Anticipated costs of providing the item or service, including shipping charges; and   [PL 2017, c. 335, §3 (AMD).]
D. For forensic preservation of body fragments and body fluids beyond the period established by the policy of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, a fee not to exceed $100 per year, per case.   [PL 2017, c. 335, §4 (NEW).]
[PL 2017, c. 335, §§2-4 (AMD).]
2.  Report documents.
For purposes of this section, "report documents" in a medical examiner case include the written report under section 3028, subsection 7; the written report of the findings of the autopsy under section 3028, subsection 8; and associated reports, including, but not limited to, toxicological reports, reports of forensic experts, reports of consultants and reports relating to harvested organs.
[PL 1997, c. 598, §1 (NEW).]
3.  Exemptions.
Exemptions from paying the fees established in subsection 1 are as follows.
A. A governmental agency is exempt from all fees in subsection 1.   [PL 1997, c. 598, §1 (NEW).]
B. A health care provider who has rendered service to the deceased is exempt from fees for the copy of report documents under subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraphs (1) and (2).   [PL 1997, c. 598, §1 (NEW).]
C. A next of kin of the deceased, as defined under section 2843‑A, is exempt from the fee for one copy per family of report documents under subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraphs (1) and (2).   [PL 1997, c. 598, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 1997, c. 598, §1 (NEW).]
4.  Waiver.
Notwithstanding the fee schedule under subsection 1, paragraph A, fees for report documents relating to a medical examiner case may be waived at the discretion of the Chief Medical Examiner.
[PL 1997, c. 598, §1 (NEW).]
5.  Deposit of fees.
All fees collected must be deposited in a nonlapsing dedicated account within the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
[PL 2017, c. 2, Pt. F, §1 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1997, c. 598, §1 (NEW). RR 2015, c. 2, §11 (COR). PL 2017, c. 2, Pt. F, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. FFF, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 335, §§2-4 (AMD).