Rep. Balkcom files bill in North Carolina House to protect autopsy privacy of deceased minors

A new bill filed by State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom seeks to protect the confidentiality of autopsy information for deceased minors, allowing disclosure only with parental consent or court order, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 164 on Feb. 21 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Parental Consent to Release Child Autopsies.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates that any autopsy information related to a deceased child under 18, including records and media, is deemed confidential and can be disclosed or released only with prior written consent from the child’s parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis. Exceptions are made for public health and safety concerns, research purposes, and compliance with legal requirements. Any unauthorized disclosure is a Class 1 misdemeanor. If parental consent is withheld, a special court proceeding can be initiated to obtain a court order for disclosure. The bill also specifies that autopsy photographs or recordings of minors are not public records and may only be released with consent or through court order. This act takes effect Oct. 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Grant L. Campbell, MD proposed the most bills (15) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Balkcom graduated from Blue Ridge Community College in 2016 with an AA.

Balkcom, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 117th House district, replacing previous state representative Timothy Moffitt.