HB532 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Johnny Mack Morrow

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Coroners and deputy coroners, duties, 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

HB532 would expand coroner powers and duties, extend asset-handling timelines, limit investigations, and grant coroners full peace officer authority, with funding implications for local government.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets the coroner and deputy coroner perform autopsies and take possession of objects or articles that help determine the cause of death, and requires reporting of findings. It increases the deadline to deliver money or property found on a deceased person to the county treasurer from 30 days to 90 days, with rules for handling and claiming those assets. It limits the coroner's investigation to determine the cause and manner of death, identity, and surrounding circumstances, and requires notification of law enforcement if there is evidence of foul play. It grants certified coroners full peace officer powers (including arrest and bearing arms) and related enforcement authorities, and makes violations of these duties a Class C felony.

Who It Affects

• Coroners and deputy coroners in Alabama — gain expanded autopsy duties and the authority to possess and test evidence, plus full peace officer powers and a requirement to be treated as full-time officials.
• County treasurers and the estates/legal representatives of deceased individuals — face a 90-day deadline to deliver money or property from the deceased, along with procedures for handling, selling assets, and paying claims or proceeds to rightful parties.

Key Provisions

• Expanded duties for coroners/deputies to perform autopsies and to take possession of objects, medical specimens, or articles that may help determine death; retain such materials for prosecution unless directed otherwise by court.
• Increase in delivery deadline: money or property found on a deceased person must be delivered to the county treasurer within 90 days (up from 30 days); money to be credited to the county; property to be sold at public auction within three months with proceeds credited to the county.
• Limitation of coroner's investigation to determine cause and manner of death, identity, and surrounding circumstances; if evidence of foul play is found, coroner must notify law enforcement and cooperate with a criminal investigation.
• Coroners certified by the Alabama Coroners Training Commission receive full peace officer powers (including arrest and bearing arms) and authority to administer oaths, seize evidence, detain at the scene, require records, employ photographers, and determine death when no physician is present.
• Violations of the act's duties by a person are Class C felonies; coroners are considered full-time officials; the act includes a funding-related provision under Amendment 621, with certain exceptions allowing the measure to take effect without a 2/3 local-vote requirement; effective date is the first day of the third month after governor 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