HB496 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Johnny Mack Morrow

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Coroners and deputy coroners, duties, reimbursement of physicians and surgeons, delivery of deceased's possessions to county treasurer, limitations on coroner's investigation, power and authority of peace officer, penalties, Secs. 15-4-2, 15-4-10 am'd.

Summary

HB496 would expand coroner duties and powers, extend the time to deliver money and property to the county, and grant coroners full peace officer authority with penalties for noncompliance.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires coroners and deputy coroners to perform autopsies when needed and to take possession of objects or medical specimens that help determine the cause of death. It extends the deadline to deliver money and property found on or about a body from 30 to 90 days to the county treasurer, with rules for handling unclaimed money or property. It limits a coroner’s investigation to determining cause, manner, identity, and surrounding circumstances, and requires notifying law enforcement if foul play is suspected; prescription medications found at a death scene may be retained or disposed of under guidelines. It grants certified coroners full peace officer powers (including arrest and bearing arms) and related authorities such as seizing evidence, detaining people at the scene, administering oaths, and ordering autopsies when needed, and it establishes a Class C felony for violations. It also notes an exemption from certain local-funds approval requirements under Amendment 621 and specifies an effective date.

Who It Affects

• Coroners and deputy coroners – gain expanded duties (autopsies), new evidentiary powers, and must operate as full-time officers; subject to penalties for noncompliance.
• County treasurers and counties – must receive and handle money and property from the deceased within 90 days, with procedures for unclaimed assets and potential damages if not delivered.
• Law enforcement and the Department of Forensic Sciences – must be notified of suspected foul play and may cooperate on investigations; may be involved in postmortem examinations directed by the coroner.
• Families or legal representatives of the deceased – affected by the new timing for turning over assets and the overall handling of evidence and property.
• Public safety and administration – envisioned through broadened coroner powers and responsibilities.

Key Provisions

• Amendment to Section 15-4-2: coroners must promptly investigate deaths without a qualified physician, may take possession of objects and samples to help determine death, and can order external or internal examinations or autopsies under specified circumstances; DoFS may be directed to perform postmortem exams.
• Amendment to Section 15-4-10: coroner must deliver money or property found on the body to the county treasurer within 90 days (instead of 30); procedures for disposition of unclaimed property and payment to legal representatives.
• Section 2: coroner investigations are limited to cause/manner/identity and surrounding circumstances; if foul play is suspected, notify law enforcement and cooperate; prescription medications found may be retained or disposed of per guidelines.
• Section 3: coroners certified by the Alabama Coroners Training Commission have full peace officer powers (including arrest and bearing arms) and specific enforcement abilities (administer oaths, seize evidence, detain at scene, request records, employ photographers, determine death without a physician present).
• Section 4: violations of the act are Class C felonies.
• Section 5: coroners are considered full-time for purposes of related laws.
• Section 6: the bill is designed to be exempt from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it defines a new crime or amends a crime.
• Section 7: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Coroners