NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5780A
SPONSOR: McDonald TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the county law, in relation to train-
ing requirements for coroners and coroner's deputies
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation requires training for coroners and coroner's deputies
prior to taking office.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this legislation requires each coroner and coroner's deputy
to attend and successfully complete state-approved courses in medical-
legal investigation. The cost shall be borne by the individual provided
that the County may at its discretion reimburse the individual. Courses
shall be prescribed, certified and credited in rules promulgated by DOH
in consultation with the Commission on Forensic Science, DCJS, DOS,
NYSP, and SED. DOH also has the option to consult with qualified
professional groups. Rules shall establish the frequency and duration
for successful completion of any such course and may prescribe height-
ened levels of training for any newly elected or appointed coroner or
coroner's deputy.
Section 2 is the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Coroners play an important role in the examination of an individual's
death, as the individuals tasked with determining cause of death. Due to
the important role these individuals serve, ensuring proper training is
paramount. This legislation ensures that these individuals tasked with
the important role as coroner are trained to minimum standards and spec-
ifications so they are able to complete their job in an exceptional
manner.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S. 6251A of 2016; Passed Senate
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to State
EFFECTIVE DATE:
S. 6251A of 2016; Passed Senate
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5780--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 15, 2017
___________
Introduced by M. of A. McDONALD, GOTTFRIED, HARRIS, BENEDETTO, D'URSO,
ORTIZ, MONTESANO, BLAKE, RIVERA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A.
COOK, CROUCH, GALEF -- read once and referred to the Committee on
Local Governments -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the county law, in relation to training requirements for
coroners and coroner's deputies
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The county law is amended by adding a new section 679 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 679. Training requirements for coroners and coroner's deputies. Each
4 coroner and coroner's deputy, whether elected or appointed pursuant to
5 section four hundred of this chapter, shall attend and successfully
6 complete state-approved courses in medical-legal investigation. The cost
7 of such courses shall be the responsibility of the coroner or coroner's
8 deputy, provided however that the county may, at its discretion, reim-
9 burse the coroner or coroner's deputy for all or a portion of the cost
10 of such courses. Such courses shall be prescribed, certified and accred-
11 ited pursuant to rules promulgated by the department of health, in
12 consultation with the department of state, the division of criminal
13 justice services, the superintendent of state police, the commissioner
14 of education, and the chair of the commission on forensic science. The
15 department of health may also consult with qualified professional
16 groups. Such rules shall also establish the frequency and duration for
17 successful completion of any such courses by a coroner or coroner's
18 deputy and may prescribe heightened levels of training for any newly
19 elected or appointed coroner or coroner's deputy.
20 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
21 it shall have become a law; provided, however, that the commissioner of
22 health is authorized and directed to promulgate any rules and regu-
23 lations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effec-
24 tive date on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04584-04-7
