HB553 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John Merrill

Republican

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

HB553 expands coroner duties and powers, extends the time to deliver the deceased's money and property to the county, and gives coroners full peace officer authority with new penalties.

What This Bill Does

The bill broadens the coroner's role to include autopsies and the collection of items to help determine the cause of death, and sets a 90-day deadline to hand money or property from the deceased to the county treasurer (instead of 30 days). It limits coroner investigations to determine cause, identity, and circumstances, and requires notification to law enforcement if foul play is suspected. It also gives certified coroners full peace officer powers (including arrest and bearing arms) and specifies penalties for noncompliance.

Who It Affects

• Coroners and deputy coroners, who gain expanded duties (autopsies, possession of evidence) and full peace officer powers, plus new penalties for noncompliance.
• County governments and county treasurers, who must handle a 90-day deadline to deliver money and property from the deceased and manage disposition and potential claims, with local funding implications.

Key Provisions

• Coroners may take possession of objects or medical specimens that may help establish the cause of death and may order autopsies under specified circumstances; they can retain such items for criminal prosecutions until required in evidence.
• Delivery of money and property found on the deceased to the county treasurer is moved from 30 days to 90 days; the treasurer places funds to the county and property is sold after three months if unclaimed, with proceeds credited to the county; heirs may claim money after certain periods with deductions for costs.
• Investigation is limited to determining the cause, manner, identity, and circumstances of death; if foul play is suspected, the coroner must notify and cooperate with law enforcement; prescription medications found may be handled per federal/state guidelines.
• Certified coroners have full peace officer powers (arrest, bearing arms) and authority to administer oaths, seize evidence, detain people at the scene, require records, employ photographers, and determine death where no licensed physician is present.
• Violations of the act are Class C felonies; coroners and deputy coroners are considered full-time for purposes of this act; the bill is exempt from certain local-funding requirements because it creates or amends crimes; it becomes effective after a defined waiting period following passage.

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