Studies of NC Medical Examiner System - S.L. 2014-100 (S 744), Secs. 12E.5, 12E.6, & 17.3
Several studies of the state medical examiner system were authorized or required by the 2014 Appropriations Act.
Several studies of the state medical examiner system were authorized or required by the 2014 Appropriations Act.
Section 12E.6.(b) requires the NC Division of Public Health to study the medical examiner system and report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on several issues, including the adequacy of fees paid for medical examiner investigations, reports, and autopsies; the categories of professionals recommended to serve as medical examiners; and the recommended qualifications and training for medical examiners.
Section 12E.5 directs the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee to consider including a study of ways to improve North Carolina’s medical examiner system in its 2014-15 work plan for the General Assembly’s Program Evaluation Division. If it is included in the work plan, the study must include an evaluation of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) and its death investigation policies and procedures, and recommendations for best practices in death investigations to achieve greater efficiencies.
Another study affecting the medical examiner system is required by Section 17.3. The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services are to study merging the state crime laboratory and the OCME into a single independent state agency. This study must examine whether merger would improve services, analyze potential cost savings, and identify potential obstacles to merger. The committees must report their findings and recommendations to the 2015 General Assembly.