Section 7.35.090. Care of human remains.

	(a)  Repealed 12/29/2006.  
	(b)  Embalmers shall take every precaution to prevent the spread of infections from persons who have died of communicable diseases.  
	(c)  It shall be the duty and responsibility of all physicians licensed to practice medicine in the State of Alaska who are in attendance or any physician who by virtue of his appointment as medical examiner or local health officer shall have knowledge or suspect that a person has died of a communicable disease which may reasonably constitute a threat to the health of morticians and their staffs, village officials, clergymen, and all others involved in the handling and preparation of a dead human body, to inform and counsel such individuals promptly of this hazard or potential threat to their health and safety. Appropriate precautionary measures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases from deceased human bodies to employees of mortuary establishments, persons contracted to provide services involved in the preparation and handling of dead human bodies, and to the general public, shall be undertaken at all times and shall be the responsibility of the funeral director, or in his absence, the senior village official present.  
	(d)  When an individual dies who has smallpox, plague, anthrax, diphtheria, meningococcal meningitis, cholera, epidemic typhus, any toxic hazard, or any unusual infectious disease, the body shall be handled and prepared using the precautions appropriate to prevent the spread of the hazard or infectious disease. If one of the above named infectious diseases occurred or was reasonably suspected to be present, the body must be placed, as soon as reasonably possible, in a leak proof and puncture resistant container accommodating the entire body which shall be permanently closed unless the commissioner of health and social services makes a specific exception.  

Authorities

18.05.040

Notes

Reference

7 AAC 35.100

Authority

AS 18.05.040

History

In effect before 7/28/59; am 2/21/71, Register 37; am 12/29/2006, Register 180