The bill amends South Dakota law regarding the payment of autopsy costs, specifically addressing the responsibilities of counties in different circumstances. It stipulates that a physician or surgeon appointed to conduct an autopsy, or a coroner who is also a physician or surgeon, will receive a reasonable fee for their services, which will be paid from the county's general fund. The bill clarifies that the decedent's county of residence is responsible for reimbursing the county where the autopsy took place if the death occurred outside of the residence county and if that county requested the autopsy or is where the incident leading to the death occurred.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for recovering autopsy costs when a perpetrator of a crime dies during or after committing the crime. In such cases, the county that incurred the autopsy expenses can seek reimbursement from the perpetrator's estate. This amendment aims to ensure that counties are not financially burdened by the costs of autopsies in these specific situations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/14/2025: 23-14-9.2
Senate Local Government Engrossed, 01/29/2025: 23-14-9.2
Senate Engrossed, 02/05/2025: 23-14-9.2
Enrolled, 02/24/2025: 23-14-9.2