1. A. Individual files of the Chief Medical Examiner are confidential medical records protected from disclosure under the provisions of Health-General Article, §4-301, Annotated Code of Maryland, and General Provisions Article, §§4-329 et. seq., Annotated Code of Maryland.
2. B. An exception to these confidential medical records is the official medical examiner's autopsy report. This report is a public record and is generally subject to disclosure under General Provisions Article, §4-329, Annotated Code of Maryland, unless the case is subject to an ongoing investigation, or other appropriate reason for denial of disclosure exists.
3. C. Records request by court order or subpoena shall be subject to the fee schedule set forth herein.

4. D. Fee Schedule.

   1. (1) Autopsy reports may be sent electronically to the requestor. The fees schedule is the same for paper or electronic reports and is as follows:

      1. (a) No fee for a first-degree relative, as defined by COMAR 10.35.01.01B; and
      2. (b) A fee of $50 for all others may be charged for providing a requested autopsy report.
   2. (2) Requests for other information or material shall be accompanied by a court order or subpoena unless the Custodian of Records determines compelling circumstances exist warranting the release of materials. If releasable, the contents of the file will be copied at a cost of $1 per page with a minimum charge of $25 excluding any item independently listed in §D of this regulation.
   3. (3) Photographs are copied electronically. There is a $50 processing fee for each digital record, plus $5 per each image copied. X-rays and CT scans are copied electronically. There is a $50 processing fee for each digital record, plus $25 per X-ray.
   4. (4) Slides are copied electronically. There is a $50 processing fee for each digital record, plus $20 for each image copied. Slides may be viewed in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner facility at a rate of $200 for the first hour and $50 for every 15 minute increment thereafter, partial or whole. The reviewer will have access to the medical examiner during the review.
   5. (5) A proof of death document may be obtained for $20.
   6. (6) If any or all of the items listed in §D of this regulation are requested in digital format, an additional fee of $60 shall apply.
   7. (7) These fees do not apply if the releasable documents are viewed only, by appointment, at the OCME, at the discretion of the custodian of records.
5. E. An individual, other than the custodian of the records of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner or a designee, may not copy or distribute a copy of the official report of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§5-301 et seq., Estates and Trusts Article, §4-509; Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: July 13, 1939

Amended December 22, 1950; February 27, 1951; May 15, 1951; June 26, 1951; January 15, 1963; October 22, 1963

Chapter revised effective August 2, 1993 (20:15 Md. R. 1220)

Regulation .01B amended effective May 5, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 898); November 24, 2014 (41:23 Md. R. 1373); May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .02 amended effective November 24, 2014 (41:23 Md. R. 1373); May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .03 amended effective May 5, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 898); May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .06B, C amended effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .08B amended effective May 5, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 898); November 24, 2014 (41:23 Md. R. 1373); May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .11 amended effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .12A, C amended effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation 13A, B amended effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .14 amended effective November 24, 2014 (41:23 Md. R. 1373); May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .14C amended effective May 5, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 898)

Regulation .14D amended effective August 29, 2016 (43:17 Md. R. 955)

Regulation .16 amended effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .18A, C amended effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .19A, B amended effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .19C, E amended effective November 24, 2014 (41:23 Md. R. 1373)

Regulation .19E amended as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2006 (33:15 Md. R. 1275); amended permanently effective November 6, 2006 (33:22 Md. R. 1733)

Regulation .19E amended effective December 31, 2018 (45:26 Md. R. 1246); May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .20E amended effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 414)

Regulation .20F amended effective May 5, 1997 (24:9 Md. R. 657); November 24, 2014 (41:23 Md. R. 1373)

Regulation .20F amended as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2006 (33:15 Md. R. 1275); amended permanently effective November 6, 2006 (33:22 Md. R. 1733)

Regulation .20F amended effective May 5, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 898); August 19, 2024 (51:16 Md. R. 742)

Regulation .21 adopted effective November 24, 2014 (41:23 Md. R. 1373)