Indiana § 4-23-6-6 - Medical examiner system

§ 4-23-6-6. Medical examiner system

Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following repeal of this chapter, effective 7-1-2027.

Sec. 6. (a) The commission on forensic sciences shall promulgate and adopt rules in accordance with IC 4-22-2 to:

(1) create a medical examiner system to aid, assist, and complement the coroner in the performance of the coroner's duties by providing medical assistance in determining causes of death; and

(2) establish minimum and uniform standards of excellence, performance of duties, and maintenance of records to provide information to the state regarding causes of death for cases investigated.

The commission shall also adopt any other rules that are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(b) The commission shall establish five (5) medical examiner districts within the state, taking into consideration population, geographical size of the area covered, availability of trained personnel, death rate by both natural and unnatural causes, and similar related factors. No county may be divided in the creation of a district.

(c) A district medical examiner shall be appointed by the commission for each district from nominees who are physicians licensed to practice in Indiana. Nominees must reside in the district they are nominated for, and a preference shall be given to practicing physicians in pathology.

(d) The district medical examiner may appoint as many physicians as associate medical examiners as may be necessary to provide service within the district. The associate examiners shall be licensed to practice in Indiana with a preference to practicing pathologists.

(e) District and associate medical examiners may engage in the private practice of medicine or surgery in addition to their duties as medical examiners.

(f) The district and associate medical examiners shall, at the request of coroners in their districts:

(1) provide medical assistance in investigating deaths;

(2) provide or contract for laboratory facilities for performing autopsies and investigations;

(3) provide for the keeping of reports of all investigations and examinations; and

(4) provide other functions which may be specified in rules adopted by the commission.

(g) A district or associate medical examiner who performs a medical examination or autopsy under the direction of a coroner is immune from civil liability for performing the examination or autopsy.

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.39, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.215-2016, SEC.94.

IC 4-23-6Chapter 6. Repealed Note: This repeal of chapter effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this chapter, effective until 7-1-2027.

Repealed by P.L.152-2026, SEC.12.

IC 4-23-6.5Chapter 6.5. Coroners Training Board

4-23-6.5-1"Board" defined 4-23-6.5-2"Fund" defined 4-23-6.5-3Board established 4-23-6.5-4Membership 4-23-6.5-4Membership 4-23-6.5-5Chairman; vice chairman 4-23-6.5-5Chairperson; vice chairperson 4-23-6.5-6Meetings 4-23-6.5-7Rules 4-23-6.5-8Coroners training and continuing education fund 4-23-6.5-9Use of coroners training and continuing education fund 4-23-6.5-9.3Expired 4-23-6.5-10Duty to consult with Indiana law enforcement academy concerning coroner training 4-23-6.5-11Contract with third party for testing services

IC 4-23-6.5-1"Board" defined Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "board" refers to the coroners training board established by section 3 of this chapter.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-6.5-2"Fund" defined Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the coroners training and continuing education fund established by section 8 of this chapter.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.32-2021, SEC.5.

IC 4-23-6.5-3Board established Sec. 3. The coroners training board is established.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-6.5-4Membership Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2027.

Sec. 4. (a) The board consists of seven (7) members. The board must include the following:

(1) The commissioner of the Indiana department of health or the commissioner's designee.

(2) The chairman of the commission on forensic sciences or the chairman's designee.

(3) The superintendent of the state police department or the superintendent's designee.

(4) Four (4) county coroners appointed by the governor, who shall consider appointing coroners who are women or members of minority groups.

(b) Not more than two (2) of the county coroner members of the board may be from the same political party.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.30.

IC 4-23-6.5-4Membership Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2027.

Sec. 4. (a) The board consists of six (6) members. The board must include the following:

(1) The commissioner of the Indiana department of health or the commissioner's designee.

(2) The superintendent of the state police department or the superintendent's designee.

(3) Four (4) county coroners appointed by the governor, who shall consider appointing coroners who are women or members of minority groups.

(b) Not more than two (2) of the county coroner members of the board may be from the same political party.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.30; P.L.152-2026, SEC.13.

IC 4-23-6.5-5Chairman; vice chairman Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2027.

Sec. 5. (a) The commissioner of the Indiana department of health or the commissioner's designee shall serve as chairman of the board.

(b) The board shall annually elect a vice chairman from among the members of the board.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.31.

IC 4-23-6.5-5Chairperson; vice chairperson Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2027.

Sec. 5. (a) The commissioner of the Indiana department of health or the commissioner's designee shall serve as chairperson of the board.

(b) The board shall annually elect a vice chairperson from among the members of the board.

(c) The chairperson may only vote to break a tie.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.31; P.L.152-2026, SEC.14.

IC 4-23-6.5-6Meetings Sec. 6. The board shall meet at least two (2) times each year.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-6.5-7Rules Sec. 7. The board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 for the following:

(1) Standards for continuing education and training for county coroners, including education and training requirements set forth in IC 36-2-14.

(2) Mandatory training and continuing education requirements for deputy coroners, including education and training requirements set forth in IC 36-2-14.

(3) Minimum requirements for continuing education instructors approved by the board.

(4) The necessary administration of this chapter.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.157-2007, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-6.5-8Coroners training and continuing education fund Sec. 8. (a) The coroners training and continuing education fund is established for the purpose of providing money for the purposes under section 9 of this chapter. The fund shall be administered by the board.

(b) Expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund. The fund consists of gifts, grants, and amounts deposited under IC 16-37-1-9.

(c) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public funds may be invested.

(d) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-6.5-9Use of coroners training and continuing education fund Sec. 9. The board may use the fund for the following purposes:

(1) Training equipment and supplies necessary to operate the fund.

(2) Aid to approved training programs that have met the minimum requirements of the board.

(3) Travel, regional conferences, and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties.

(4) Any other purpose that the board determines is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

As added by P.L.36-1993, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-6.5-9.3ExpiredAs added by P.L.193-2018, SEC.1. Expired 6-30-2019 by P.L.193-2018, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-6.5-10Duty to consult with Indiana law enforcement academy concerning coroner training Sec. 10. The board shall consult with the Indiana law enforcement academy under IC 36-2-14-22.3 concerning criminal investigations in the creation of:

(1) the training course for coroners and deputy coroners under IC 36-2-14-22.3(a); and

(2) the annual training course for coroners and deputy coroners under IC 36-2-14-22.3(c).

As added by P.L.157-2007, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.3-2008, SEC.10; P.L.75-2026, SEC.1.

IC 4-23-6.5-11Contract with third party for testing services Sec. 11. The Indiana department of health shall contract with a third party for testing services under this chapter.

As added by P.L.193-2018, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.32.

IC 4-23-7Chapter 7. Indiana Library and Historical Department

4-23-7-1Creation 4-23-7-2Board membership; terms; vacancies; authority 4-23-7-2Board membership; terms; vacancies; authority 4-23-7-2.1Board; election of officers; executive secretary 4-23-7-2.1Board; election of officers; executive secretary 4-23-7-3Management 4-23-7-3.2Repealed 4-23-7-3.5Repealed 4-23-7-4Repealed 4-23-7-5Policies 4-23-7-5Policies 4-23-7-5.2Gifts, bequests, and devises; acceptance; limitation 4-23-7-5.2Gifts, bequests, and devises; acceptance; limitation 4-23-7-5.3Disposition of library materials 4-23-7-5.3Disposition of library materials 4-23-7-5.4Library and historical department fund; establishment; use; deposits 4-23-7-5.4Library and historical department fund; establishment; use; deposits 4-23-7-6Repealed 4-23-7-7Repealed 4-23-7-8Repealed 4-23-7-9Repealed 4-23-7-10Repealed 4-23-7-11Repealed 4-23-7-12Repealed 4-23-7-13Repealed 4-23-7-14Repealed 4-23-7-14.5Repealed 4-23-7-14.6Repealed 4-23-7-15Repealed 4-23-7-16Repealed 4-23-7-17Repealed 4-23-7-18Repealed 4-23-7-19Repealed 4-23-7-20Repealed 4-23-7-21Repealed 4-23-7-22Repealed 4-23-7-23Repealed 4-23-7-23.4Repealed 4-23-7-23.5Repealed 4-23-7-23.6Repealed 4-23-7-24Repealed 4-23-7-25Repealed 4-23-7-26Repealed 4-23-7-27Repealed 4-23-7-28Repealed 4-23-7-29Repealed 4-23-7-30Repealed