(a) General rule.--On a request from an authorized official of an eye bank for corneal tissue, a coroner or medical examiner may permit the removal of corneal tissue if all of the following apply: (1) The decedent from whom the tissue is to be removed died under circumstances requiring an inquest. (2) The coroner or medical examiner has made a reasonable effort to contact persons listed in section 8611 (relating to persons who may execute anatomical gift). (3) No objection by a person listed in section 8611 is known by the coroner or medical examiner. (4) The removal of the corneal tissue will not interfere with the subsequent course of an investigation or autopsy or alter the decedent's postmortem facial appearance. (b) Definition.--As used in this section, the term 'eye bank' means a nonprofit corporation chartered under the laws of this Commonwealth to obtain, store and distribute donor eyes to be used by physicians or surgeons for corneal transplants, research or other medical purposes and the medical activities of which are directed by a physician or surgeon in this Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Legal Code