decedent

If a person dies while in the custody of a law enforcement agency, the agency shall report the facts concerning the death to the Attorney General. These writings are public records within the meaning the Public Records Act, but the disclosure of confidential medical information that may have been submitted is subject to the CMIA

In the event of the death of hospitalized patient by any cause, the State Department of Mental Health, the physician in charge of the patient, or person in charge of the facility, shall release information acquired while providing services to the patient under Division 5, 6, or 7 to the coroner unless such disclosure is prohibited under this section. Information about the personal life of the patient that is unrelated to the diagnosis and treatment of the patient's physical condition shall not be released. Any information released to the coroner shall not become part of the public record.

No copy, reproduction, or facsimile shall be made of any photograph, negative, or print, including instant photographs and video tapes, of the body of a deceased person, taken by or for the coroner at the scene of death or in the course of a post mortem examination or autopsy, except for criminal proceeding or by order of court.

The information filed with the state teachers’ retirement system in a beneficiary designation form may be released after the death of the member or participant to those persons who may provide information necessary for the distribution of benefits.

There is no privilege of physician-patient communications relevant to an issue between parties all of whom claim through a deceased patient.

There is no privilege of psychotherapist=patient communications relevant to an issue between parties all of whom claim through a deceased patient.

There is no psychotherapist-patient privilege regarding a communication relevant to the intention of a deceased patient pertaining to a deed of conveyance, will, or other writing claiming to affect a property interest.

There is no psychotherapist-patient privilege regarding a communication relevant the validity of a deed of conveyance, will, or other writing claiming to affect a property interest executed by the deceased patient

When a person dies in custody of law enforcement or in prison, the agency must submit a report with certain information to the state attorney general. The report does not waive confidentiality of medical information.

The Department of Health Services must conduct special investigations of the sources of morbidity and mortality and its effects on public health. The department may also be required to obtain information from other government agencies as to the effect of the conditions on public health.