HB1639 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 05228 AWJ 50246 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB1639

Introduced 2/1/2023, by Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

55 ILCS 5/3-3046 new

Amends the Counties Code. Creates the Coroner Standards and Reorganization Task Force. Provides for the appointment of 9 members to the Task Force. Includes provisions relating to Task Force membership, meetings, duties to evaluate different aspects concerning coroners in Illinois, and reports to the Governor and General Assembly. Provides that the Coroner Training Board shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved on January 1, 2025. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2026. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Counties Code is amended by adding Section 3-3046 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/3-3046 new)

Sec. 3-3046. Coroner Standards and Reorganization Task Force

(a) The Coroner Standards and Reorganization Task Force is created. The Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(1) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, one member appointed by the President of the Senate, and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(2) three members appointed by the Governor, two of whom are either an elected coroner within the State at the time of appointment or a former elected coroner within the State;

(3) the Secretary of State or the Secretary's designee; and

(4) the Director of the Department of Public Health or the Director's designee.

Initial appointments to the Task Force shall be made not more than 3 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly. If a vacancy occurs in the Task Force membership, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment until the Task Force is dissolved. Task force members shall serve without compensation.

(b) The Task Force shall hold its first meeting within one month after its members have been appointed and shall convene as the Task Force deems appropriate to carry out its duties and submit the reports required under this Section. At its first meeting, the Task Force shall elect its chairperson and any other officers from among its members.

(c) The Task Force should evaluate the following in consultation with the Coroner Training Board:

(1) whether professional experience and medical competency requirements for elected coroners are feasible and, if so, how those requirements ought to be implemented;

(2) whether the regionalization of coroner offices in the State or portions of the State is feasible and, if so, how the regionalization of those offices ought to be implemented;

(3) whether the current distribution of resources and funding made available to coroners throughout the State is adequate;

(4) whether there ought to be ethics requirements for coroners, including, but not limited to, ethical requirements concerning conflicts of interest arising from coroners who serve as coroners and operate funeral homes;

(5) whether best practices concerning death investigation should be implemented;

(6) whether the current law regarding autopsies is effective and complied with;

(7) whether best practices concerning organ and tissue donation referrals ought to be implemented; and

(8) whether the coroner training program implemented under the Coroner Training Board Act is effective when compared with best practices for coroner training and continuing education employed in other states.

(d) The Task Force shall submit an initial report to the Governor and the General Assembly not later than 12 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly. The report shall include the Task Force's findings and shall summarize the actions the Task Force has taken and those it intends to take in response to its obligations under this Section. After it submits its initial report, the Task Force shall submit a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly between July 1, 2024 and December 1, 2024 to apprise the Governor and the General Assembly of any additional findings made or actions taken by the Task Force.

(e) The Coroner Training Board shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

(f) The Task Force is dissolved on January 1, 2025.

(g) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2026.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.