§ 16. Expense of autopsy; state charge. 1. The reasonable expense of any inquiry, autopsy, examination or report prepared thereon conducted by a coroner, coroner's physician or medical examiner as required by law with respect to any death occurring to an incarcerated individual of an institution operated by the department shall, to the extent not otherwise reimbursed by the state, be a state charge. Reimbursement of such expense shall be made on vouchers submitted annually and certified by the chief fiscal officer of the county or city as the case may be on the audit and warrant of the comptroller.

2. The department shall acquire a preliminary or final death certificate for such incarcerated individual from a coroner, coroner's physician or medical examiner and forward such original death certificate to the next of kin.