The bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to redefine the role of the "Escambia County Medical Examiner," who must now be a licensed physician in Alabama. It revises the appointment process to include a nominating committee made up of the Chair of the Escambia County Commission, the District Attorney, the Sheriff, and the Chief Medical Examiner of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. This committee will provide a list of candidates to the Director of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for the final appointment. The bill establishes a six-year term for the county medical examiner and outlines procedures for filling any vacancies. Additionally, it introduces new provisions regarding the duties of the county medical examiner, including the investigation of various types of deaths, and mandates annual training in death investigation.

The bill also modifies existing laws concerning autopsy procedures, allowing a state medical examiner to perform autopsies under specific circumstances, such as during criminal investigations or when the cause of death is unclear. It clarifies that if the county medical examiner does not find it advisable to perform an autopsy but the next of kin requests one, the state medical examiner or a designated pathologist may conduct the autopsy at the next of kin's expense. Furthermore, the bill establishes a Medical Examiner Fund to manage appropriations previously allocated to the coroner's office and repeals Section 45-27-60.14, which dealt with the compensation of the county medical examiner. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45-27-60
Enrolled: 45-27-60