H. B. 4548

         (By Delegate Walker (By Request))

         [Introduced February 15, 2012; referred to the

         Committee on Political Subdivisions then Finance.]

A BILL to amend and reenact §61-12-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to postmortem examinations; county coroners; and authorizing county commissions to designate a local funeral home or EMS to transport bodies for purposes of postmortem examinations in certain situations.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That §61-12-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 12. POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS.

§61-12-14. County coroners; appointment, oath, etc.; duties; fees.

    It is the duty of the The county commission of every county, from time to time, to shall appoint a coroner for the county, who shall hold the office during the pleasure of the commission and shall take the oath of office prescribed for other county officers. The county coroners shall be certified in medicolegal investigations, be continually available to perform the duties required under this article and shall be paid such fees or amounts for the services as may be fixed by the chief medical examiner. The county commission of every county may designate a local funeral home or EMS to transport a body to a medical examiner for an examination required under the provisions of section eight of this article in order to expedite examinations.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to authorize county commissions to designate a local funeral home or EMS to transport bodies when a postmortem examination is required.

    Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.