§ 16. Expense of autopsy; state charge. 1. The reasonable expense of
any inquiry, autopsy, examination or report prepared thereon conducted
by a coroner, coroner's physician or medical examiner as required by law
with respect to any death occurring to an incarcerated individual of an
institution operated by the department shall, to the extent not
otherwise reimbursed by the state, be a state charge. Reimbursement of
such expense shall be made on vouchers submitted annually and certified
by the chief fiscal officer of the county or city as the case may be on
the audit and warrant of the comptroller.

2. The department shall acquire a preliminary or final death
certificate for such incarcerated individual from a coroner, coroner's
physician or medical examiner and forward such original death
certificate to the next of kin.