The proposed bill seeks to transition the role of county coroners from elected positions to appointed ones, aiming to reduce taxpayer costs and enhance the professionalism of the office. It emphasizes the technical skills and investigative abilities required for coroners, which are not inherently political. Currently, only counties with populations under 40,000 can appoint coroners, while those over 250,000 can appoint medical examiners. The bill aims to standardize the appointment process across all counties, eliminating unnecessary elections and associated costs. Key amendments include the removal of the election requirement for coroners, mandating that each county legislative authority appoint a coroner instead. If a county has an elected coroner, that individual may serve until the end of their term, after which an appointment must be made.

Additionally, the bill updates training and certification requirements for coroners and medical examiners, mandating that they complete medicolegal forensic investigation training within 12 months of appointment, adhering to standards set by the criminal justice training commission. It also specifies that all personnel in coroner's or medical examiner's offices must complete this training, with potential financial penalties for counties that fail to ensure certification. The bill includes a provision for immediate effect, emphasizing its urgency for the preservation of public peace, health, or safety, thereby highlighting the importance of its swift implementation for state government and public institutions.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 36.16.030, 43.101.480, 36.16.050, 36.17.020, 36.24.205