The bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to redefine the role of the county medical examiner in Escambia County, now designated as the "Escambia County Medical Examiner," who must be a licensed physician. The appointment process is revised 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, which will submit candidates to the Director of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for final appointment. The bill establishes a six-year term for the medical examiner and outlines procedures for filling any vacancies. Additionally, it introduces new training requirements, mandating that the county medical examiner complete eight hours of death investigation training annually.

The bill also modifies the procedures for autopsies and death investigations, 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 deems an autopsy unnecessary 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 repeals Section 45-27-60.14, which relates to the compensation of the county medical examiner, and establishes a Medical Examiner Fund to manage appropriations previously allocated to the coroner's office. These changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

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