Chief Patron: Hamilton
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Item 291 #1h

Language
Page 261, line 27, strike "$8,461,404" and insert "$9,168,562".
Page 261, line 27, strike "$8,461,404" and insert "$9,168,562".

Explanation
(This amendment adds $707,158 each year from the general fund and 10 full-time equivalent positions to provide 24-hour coverage, seven days a week, in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Several district offices will fail to pass national accreditation without these additional staff. The additional positions will ensure full accreditation to the Office by the National Association of Medical Examiners. Failure to be accredited results in delays in investigating deaths, providing instruction on case and death scene management to law enforcement personnel, and resolving cases. In addition, lack of sufficient staff makes it difficult to recruit and retain forensic pathologists; work in an accredited office is necessary to maintain their Forensic Pathology Board certification.)