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State Representative
Jim Rhodes

409 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296- 9889

For Immediate ReleaseFor more information contact:
January 25, 1999Eric Lochen (651) 296-9895
NEWS RELEASE
REP. JIM RHODES INTRODUCES
AUTOPSY RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION BILL


ST. PAUL At the request of the Orthodox Jewish community, State Representative Jim Rhodes (St. Louis Park) has introduced a bill that creates a religious exemption to mandated autopsies.

"If people do not wish an autopsy to be performed on a loved one due to religious beliefs, we should respect their wishes," Rhodes said. "It is a matter of respect for not only the deceased, but for different cultures and ways of life."

The bill, House File 217, amends sections of the current law relating to mandated autopsies. Rhodes' bill would disallow an autopsy to be performed "over the objection of a surviving relative or friend when the procedure is contrary to the religious beliefs of the deceased." However, if there is a compelling public necessity, such as suspicion of wrongful death, an autopsy would be warranted. If that were to be the case, said Rhodes, the state would be required to perform a least intrusive or noninvasive procedure, such as magnetic resonance imaging, when a dissection or autopsy conflicts with the decedent's religious beliefs.

Rep. Rhodes welcomes your comments and questions. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-9889 at the state capitol or by e-mail at Rep.Jim.Rhodes@house.leg.state.mn.us.

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