Hawaii HB61 establishes county medical examiners as coroners, independent from law enforcement.

Hawaii HB61 aims to separate coroners from law enforcement roles to ensure independent investigations of deaths. The bill requires the mayor of each county to appoint a medical examiner, confirmed by the county council, who will also serve as the coroner. This change addresses ethical concerns highlighted by the 2023 Maui wildfires, where police involvement in death investigations raised questions about accountability. The bill also appropriates funds for establishing county medical examiner positions and mandates that medical examiners be licensed physicians and certified pathologists.

Hawaii HB61 establishes county medical examiners as coroners, independent from law enforcement.

Hawaii HB61 aims to separate coroners from law enforcement roles to ensure independent investigations of deaths. The bill requires the mayor of each county to appoint a medical examiner, confirmed by the county council, who will also serve as the coroner. This change addresses ethical concerns highlighted by the 2023 Maui wildfires, where police involvement in death investigations raised questions about accountability. The bill also appropriates funds for establishing county medical examiner positions and mandates that medical examiners be licensed physicians and certified pathologists.