HB581 Alabama 2010 Session

Under existing law, the coroner examines the body of a deceased person and makes a report

This bill would further provide for the duties of coroner and deputy coroner as to performing an autopsy, and obtaining possession of any objects, medical specimens, or articles that may be helpful in establishing the cause of death

Existing law provides for the money and property of the deceased to be delivered to the county treasurer within 30 days by the coroner

This bill would make it 90 days

This bill would provide for limitation of a corner's investigation

Under existing law, a coroner does not have the full power and authority of a peace officer

This bill would give such power and authority to a coroner

Under existing law, a surgeon or physician summoned by a coroner to make a postmortem examination receives $5 and for each mile of travel receives 10 cents or to perform an autopsy or internal examination, he or she receives $25 and not the $5 for the external postmortem

This bill would repeal this provision

This bill would provide penalties

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

To amend Sections 15-4-2 and 15-4-10 of the Code of Alabama 1975, relating to coroners; to provide further for the duties of corner and deputy coroner; to increase the number of days a coroner has to deliver the money and property of the deceased to the county treasurer; to provide limitation of a coroner's investigation; to give a coroner full power and authority of a peace officer; to repeal Section 15-4-11 of the Code of Alabama 1975, relating to fees of a physician or surgeon for postmortem, autopsy, and internal examinations; to provide penalties; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.