(1) A coroner may collect and secure any prescription medication of the decedent to ensure that the medication does not come into the possession of a person who might use the medication in an illegal or harmful manner.
(2) Collected medication shall be disposed of under circuit court order or shall be forwarded to the Department of Health within thirty (30) days for proper destruction under § 20-64-214.
(3) This section shall not apply to any prescription medication in the custody or possession of an institutional healthcare provider or attending hospice nurse that is subject to other laws, rules, and regulations governing the destruction or disposition of patient or resident medication.