72.480 Death notification requirements -- Emergency medical assistance.

463 words·~2 min read·/ky/chapter-72/72-480

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(1)A coroner shall follow the requirements of subsection

(3)of this section relating to

notification of a spouse, if any, or next of kin, when the coroner has reason to

believe that the spouse, if any, or next of kin has not yet been notified of the

decedent’s death, and:

(a)A coroner is acting under KRS 72.450 and has reason to believe that the

spouse, if any, or next of kin of the decedent resides in the coroner’s

jurisdiction; or

(b)A coroner has received notification from another official that a spouse, if any,

or next of kin of a decedent resides in the coroner’s jurisdiction.

(2)A coroner is not required to follow subsection

(3)of this section when the coroner

is acting under KRS 72.450, but has reason to believe that the spouse, if any, or next

of kin of the decedent resides outside of the coroner’s jurisdiction. In that event, the

coroner shall only be required to contact the coroner or other official responsible for

providing notification in that jurisdiction regarding the decedent’s death.

(3)When providing notification to the spouse, if any, or next of kin of a decedent

regarding the decedent's death, the coroner shall:

(a)Prior to the notification:

1. Contact, through nonemergency means and without disclosing any

information identifying the decedent or spouse, if any, or next of kin of

the decedent, an entity capable of providing emergency medical

assistance;

2. Inform the entity that a notification is planned to take place; and

3. Confirm that the entity is capable of providing a prompt emergency

response.

Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit a coroner from

disclosing any information identifying the decedent or spouse, if any, or next

of kin of a decedent to an entity capable of providing emergency assistance in

the case of an emergency;

(b)Arrange for another member of the coroner's office or, if another member is

not available, a law enforcement officer, member of the clergy, professional

grief counselor, or other respected member of the community to assist, in

person, in providing the notification;

(c)Provide the notification orally, in person, and in a respectful manner;

(d)Assist the recipient of the notification in contacting family or friends, and, in

the event that the recipient is alone, remain with the recipient of the

notification for as long as practicable or until a friend, family member, or

other person is able to arrive and attend to the recipient;

(e)Provide information to the recipient of the notification regarding the handling

of the decedent's remains, contact information for the coroner's office, and

information regarding organizations that provide grief counseling; and

(f)Conduct a follow-up communication with the recipient of the notification within forty-eight

(48)hours of providing the notification.