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 if a death occurs in a county other than the decedent's county of residence, the county of residence must reimburse the county where the autopsy took place, provided that the county of residence either requested the autopsy or is where the incident leading to the death occurred.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for situations involving perpetrators of crimes. If a perpetrator dies while committing a crime or commits suicide afterward, the county that covered the autopsy costs is entitled to recover those costs and any related expenses from the perpetrator's estate. This amendment aims to ensure that the financial burden of autopsy costs is appropriately allocated among the involved counties and addresses the specific circumstances surrounding criminal cases.

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