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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".20" citation="COMAR 10.35.01.20" title_num="10" subtitle_num="35" chapter_num="01" heading="Body Transportation Reimbursement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The deputy medical examiner or forensic investigator shall arrange for body transportation services of human remains from a scene of death in Maryland to a specified location within Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The deputy medical examiner or forensic investigator shall contact local county funeral directors or appropriate body transportation service providers within their jurisdiction, on a rotational basis, to arrange for body transportation services.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Funeral directors and body transportation service providers are eligible to transport human remains for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. However, it is the responsibility of each local funeral director or body transportation service to notify the deputy medical examiner or forensic investigator if they are interested in providing this service for the State.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Providers of body transportation services shall be available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year to provide body transportation services, as needed, and shall provide their own equipment to transport human remains.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Human remains shall be accorded the proper dignity expected under accepted mortuary standards and practices, and shall be handled in accordance with standard precautions as defined by COMAR 10.06.01.02B and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner guidelines to protect remains and evidence.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Payment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Providers of body transportation services shall be paid as provided in the State budget, $3.50 per mile, one way, plus any tolls, and a scene response fee of $100, with a minimum total payment of $200 from the scene of death to a designated location. The mileage shall be verified by the OCME.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>This is the sole compensation the provider is entitled to, and the provider or any other person may not submit a charge to any other party, including the family of the deceased, for this service.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In the case of a victim of a homicide, the transport service shall be paid the rate stated in §F(1) of this regulation to transport the body from the site of autopsy or examination to a location within Maryland specified by the victim's family.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is responsible for completing the Transportation of Bodies Report for payment.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is responsible for providing a replacement body pouch when the body is transported to that office.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>