Summary as Introduced
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the county board or board of county commissioners of each county shall appoint a medical examiner and the medical examiner may appoint a deputy medical examiner, who both shall be physicians licensed to practice within this State. Discontinues the office of the coroner in each county on December 1, 2024 replacing it with the appointed medical examiner. Allows a medical examiner to appoint investigators. Provides that 2 or more counties may enter into an agreement to allow the same persons to act as medical examiners, deputy medical examiners, and investigators. Allows a medical examiner to establish an elderly and vulnerable adult death review team. Makes other changes concerning removal of medical examiners and deputy medical examiners, bonds, death investigations, identification of bodies, expenses, records, organ donation and cremation of a body subject to investigation, autopsies, removal of property found near a body, and notification of a medical examiner. Limits concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Amends various other Acts and Codes making conforming changes. Effective December 1, 2024, except that specified provisions take effect immediately.