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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 18, 2015 01:58 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kerry A. Benninghoff |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Coroners Law update - former HB 2456 |
| In the near future, I will be re-introducing former HB 2456 (2013-14 Session) to amend the Coroners law, which has not seen a major updated since 1955. The legislation follows the recommendations of the PA County Commissioners Association that all county Coroner/Medical Examiner offices, except for Philadelphia, be placed under one umbrella statute. In response to concerns about the proper use of forensic sciences in dealing with death investigations, the National Academy of Sciences issued its report in 2009, “Strengthening Forensic Science in America: Path Forward.” In this report, the NAS called for increasing the education in forensic sciences and strengthening the application of the forensic sciences. Pennsylvania is currently a leader in the nation on national death investigation certification of Coroners. In order to build on this momentum, this legislation will require all Coroners to attain and maintain such certification. In addition to current law, all deputy coroners will also be required to successfully complete certification by the Pennsylvania Coroners Education Board. It will also require all Coroners to maintain at least 12 hours of continuing education annually. In addition, this legislation will establish uniform review policies for the investigation of child deaths. This continues the efforts of the Legislature over the last two years to more effectively recognize and investigate child abuse. This is particularly important when child abuse results in the child’s death. This session, I also added the changes to the Sheriff's Office language regarding vacancies. This was a concern that was brought up last session. If you have any questions or wish to view the legislation, please contact Amy Noel anoel@pahousegop.com or call 717-783-1918. Please join me in making the necessary changes to update this law. Thank you! Former HB 2456 cosponsors: Baker, R. Bloom, Brown, Causer, Clymer, Cohen, D. Costa, P. Daley, Ellis, Emrick, Everett, Farry, Fleck, Gillen, Gingrich, Grell, Hanna, Harhart, C. Harris, Kauffman, MK Keller, Mackenzie, Major, Milne, Mirabito, Moul, Murt, Neuman, Peifer, Pickett, Quinn, Readshaw, Regan, Rock, Saccone, Samuelson, Scavello, Schlossberg, Schreiber, Simmons, Snyder, Tallman, Thomas, Watson, and White |
Introduced as HB1931