By: Raymond H.B. No. 576       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the confidentiality of certain autopsy records.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 11, Article 49.25, Code of Criminal   Procedure, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and   adding Subsections (b-1) and (b-2) to read as follows:          (a)  The medical examiner shall keep full and complete   records properly indexed, giving the name if known of every person   whose death is investigated, the place where the body was found, the   date, and the cause and manner of death, and shall issue a death   certificate.  The full report and detailed findings of the autopsy,   if any, shall be a part of the record. Copies of all records shall   promptly be delivered to the proper district, county, or criminal   district attorney in any case where further investigation is   advisable. The records may not be withheld, subject to a   discretionary exception under Chapter 552, Government Code, and   except as provided by Subsection (b).          (b)  A [that a] photograph or x-ray of a body taken during an   autopsy is excepted from required public disclosure in accordance   with Chapter 552, Government Code, but is subject to disclosure:                (1)  under a subpoena or authority of other law; [or]                (2)  if the photograph or x-ray is of the body of a   person who died while in the custody of law enforcement; or                 (3)  to the next of kin or legal representative of the   deceased, subject to a discretionary exception under Chapter 552,   Government Code.          (b-1) [(b)]  Under the exception to public disclosure   provided by Subsection (b) [(a)], a governmental body as defined by   Section 552.003, Government Code, may withhold a photograph or   x-ray described by that subsection [Subsection (a)] without   requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G,   Chapter 552, Government Code.  This subsection does not affect the   required disclosure of a photograph or x-ray as otherwise required   by [under] Subsection (b) [(a)(1) or (2)].          (b-2)  A release of a photograph or x-ray described by   Subsection (b) is not considered a release of information to the   public for purposes of Section 552.007, Government Code, and does   not waive the right to assert in the future that the photograph or   x-ray is excepted from required disclosure under this section or   other law.           SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   a request for information that is received by a governmental body or   an officer for public information on or after the effective date of   this Act.  A request for information that was received before the   effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the   date the request was received, and the former law is continued in   effect for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.