Sec. 18. 22 MRSA §3032, as amended by PL 1985, c. 611, §9, is further amended to read:

§3032. Rules

The Chief Medical Examiner is authorized and empowered to carry into effect this chapter, and, in pursuance thereof, to make and enforce such reasonable rules consistent with this chapter as he may deem the Chief Medical Examiner determines necessary. A copy of the rules and any amendments thereto shall must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.

Sec. 19. 22 MRSA §3033, as amended by PL 1979, c. 538, §10, is further amended to read:

§3033. Limitation on liability of medical examiners and

pathologists

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no a medical examiner shall may not be held liable for damages for any injury or damage which that results from the exercise and discharge of any of his the medical examiner's official duties, unless it can be shown that such the injury or damage resulted from gross negligence on the part of the medical examiner. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no a pathologist, performing an autopsy at the request of a medical examiner or the Chief Medical Examiner, shall may not be held liable for damages for any injury or damage which that results from the performance of the autopsy, unless it can be shown that such the injury or damage resulted from the gross negligence of the pathologist. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no a professional consultant, who at the request of the medical examiner or Chief Medical Examiner conducts an examination and renders a report as part of the record, shall may not be held liable for damages for any injury or damage which that results from the performance of the examination unless it can be shown that such the injury or damage resulted from the gross negligence of the consultant.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the Medical Examiner Act to do the following.