MODIFYING REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAL EXAMINERS IN SMALL COUNTIES

House Bill 4124 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Triston Cole

Committee:  Local Government and Municipal Finance

Complete to 2-19-19

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4124 would amend Public Act 181 of 1953 to loosen restrictions on who can serve as a medical examiner investigator in counties of 50,000 or less.

In cases where a body is discovered of an individual who may have died under suspicious circumstances, the county medical examiner is required to thoroughly examine the body in order to determine the cause of death. Currently under the act, the county medical examiner is allowed to appoint a medical examiner investigator to conduct the investigation in his or her stead, but the appointee must not be either of the following:

·         An agent or employee of a funeral establishment (such as a funeral home).

·         Directly or indirectly remunerated in connection with the disposition of the body.

HB 4124 would amend the act to allow the medical examiners of counties with a population of 50,000 or less (as determined by the most recent federal decennial census) to appoint individuals who would otherwise be disqualified by the restrictions listed above.

The bill would take effect 90 days after being enacted into law.

MCL 52.205

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal implications for state or local governmental entities.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Nick Kelly

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Susan Frey

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.