| 23 | 23 | | of the coroner pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) of this Code section. Each17 |
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| 24 | 24 | | deputy coroner shall serve at the pleasure of the coroner and may be replaced by the18 |
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| 25 | 25 | | coroner at any time. Each deputy coroner shall take the same oath, give the same bond, be19 |
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| 26 | 26 | | entitled to the same fees, and have the same powers as the coroner;, but a deputy coroner20 |
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| 27 | 27 | | shall act as coroner only when the coroner is himself or herself unable to act.21 |
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| 28 | 28 | | (b) No person shall be eligible to hold the office of deputy coroner unless he or she holds22 |
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| 29 | 29 | | a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Any deputy coroner who is in office23 |
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| 30 | 30 | | on July 1, 1980, however, shall without limitation be eligible to serve as deputy coroner at24 |
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| 31 | 31 | | any time after said date without regard to whether he or she meets the requirements of this25 |
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| 32 | 32 | | subsection.26 |
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| 33 | 33 | | (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, there shall be appointed only one deputy27 |
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| 34 | 34 | | coroner, and, on and after July 1, 1999, there shall only be one deputy coroner in each such28 |
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| 35 | 35 | | county unless otherwise approved by the local governing authority of the county.29 |
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| 36 | 36 | | (d) Deputy coroners shall receive a fee of at least $250.00 for each case that he or she30 |
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| 37 | 37 | | works.31 |
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| 38 | 38 | | (e) As of January 1, 2026, any deputy coroner being compensated by a county in an32 |
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| 39 | 39 | | amount greater than the compensation formulas provided in subsection (d) of this Code33 |
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| 40 | 40 | | section shall not have their compensation reduced for the remainder of the term of the34 |
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| 41 | 41 | | coroner."35 |
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| 42 | 42 | | SECTION 2.36 |
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| 43 | 43 | | Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 45-16-11, relating to compensation37 |
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| 44 | 44 | | of county coroners, increases, calculation, supplements, and expenses, as follows:38 |
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| 45 | 45 | | "45-16-11.39 |
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| 46 | 46 | | (a)(1) Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, the minimum annual salary of each40 |
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| 47 | 47 | | coroner in any of the counties in this state in the following population brackets shall be41 |
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| 48 | 48 | | fixed according to the population of the county in which he or she serves, as determined42 |
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| 50 | 50 | | by the United States decennial census of 1990 2020 or any future such census. Except43 |
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| 51 | 51 | | as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, each such coroner shall receive44 |
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| 52 | 52 | | an annual salary, payable in equal monthly installments from the funds of the coroner's45 |
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| 53 | 53 | | county, of not less than the amount fixed in the following schedule:46 |
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| 54 | 54 | | Population Minimum Salary47 |
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| 55 | 55 | | 0 — 11,889..........................................48 $ 1,200.00 |
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| 56 | 56 | | 11,890 — 19,999..........................................49 2,400.00 |
|---|
| 57 | 57 | | 20,000 — 34,999..........................................50 3,600.00 |
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| 58 | 58 | | 0 — 5,999..........................................51 $17,700.00 |
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| 59 | 59 | | 6,000 — 11,889..........................................52 $20,000.00 |
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| 60 | 60 | | 11,890 — 19,999..........................................53 $25,000.00 |
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| 61 | 61 | | 20,000 — 28,999..........................................54 $30,000.00 |
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| 62 | 62 | | 29,000 — 38,999..........................................55 $35,000.00 |
|---|
| 63 | 63 | | 39,000 — 49,999..........................................56 $40,000.00 |
|---|
| 64 | 64 | | 50,000 — 74,999..........................................57 $45,000.00 |
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| 65 | 65 | | 75,000 — 99,999..........................................58 $50,000.00 |
|---|
| 66 | 66 | | 100,000 — 149,999..........................................59 $55,000.00 |
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| 67 | 67 | | 150,000 — 199,999..........................................60 $70,000.00 |
|---|
| 68 | 68 | | 200,000 — 249,000..........................................61 $80,000.00 |
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| 69 | 69 | | 250,000 — 299,999..........................................62 $90,000.00 |
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| 70 | 70 | | 300,000 — 399,999..........................................63 $95,000.00 |
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| 71 | 71 | | 400,000 — 499,999..........................................64 $100,000.00 |
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| 72 | 72 | | 500,000 or more.............................................65 $105,000.00 |
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| 73 | 73 | | (2) Whenever, after January 1, 2026, the state employees subject to compensation plans66 |
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| 74 | 74 | | authorized and approved in accordance with Code Section 45-20-4 receive a67 |
|---|
| 75 | 75 | | cost-of-living increase or general performance based increase of a certain percentage or68 |
|---|
| 77 | 77 | | a certain amount, the amounts fixed in the minimum salary schedule in paragraph (1) of69 |
|---|
| 78 | 78 | | this subsection, and in Code Section 45-16-11.1, or the amounts derived by increasing70 |
|---|
| 79 | 79 | | each of said amounts through the application of longevity increases pursuant to71 |
|---|
| 80 | 80 | | subsection (b) of this Code section, where applicable, shall be increased by the same72 |
|---|
| 81 | 81 | | percentage or same amount applicable to such state employees. If the cost-of-living73 |
|---|
| 82 | 82 | | increase or general performance based increase received by state employees is in different74 |
|---|
| 83 | 83 | | percentages or different amounts as to certain categories of employees, the amounts fixed75 |
|---|
| 84 | 84 | | in the minimum salary schedule in paragraph (1) of this subsection, and in Code76 |
|---|
| 85 | 85 | | Section 45-16-11.1, or the amounts derived through the application of longevity77 |
|---|
| 86 | 86 | | increases, shall be increased by a percentage or an amount not to exceed the average78 |
|---|
| 87 | 87 | | percentage or average amount of the general increase in salary granted to the state79 |
|---|
| 88 | 88 | | employees. The Office of Planning and Budget shall calculate the average percentage80 |
|---|
| 89 | 89 | | increase or average amount increase when necessary. The periodic changes in the81 |
|---|
| 90 | 90 | | amounts fixed in the minimum salary schedule in paragraph (1) of this subsection, and82 |
|---|
| 91 | 91 | | in Code Section 45-16-11.1, or the amounts derived through the application of longevity83 |
|---|
| 92 | 92 | | increases, as authorized by this paragraph shall become effective on the first day of84 |
|---|
| 93 | 93 | | January following the date that the cost-of-living increases received by state employees85 |
|---|
| 94 | 94 | | become effective; provided, however, that if the cost-of-living increases or general86 |
|---|
| 95 | 95 | | performance based increases received by state employees become effective on January 1,87 |
|---|
| 96 | 96 | | such periodic changes in the amounts fixed in the minimum salary schedule in88 |
|---|
| 97 | 97 | | paragraph (1) of this subsection, and in Code Section 45-16-11.1, or the amounts derived89 |
|---|
| 98 | 98 | | through the application of longevity increases, as authorized by this paragraph shall90 |
|---|
| 99 | 99 | | become effective on the same date that the cost-of-living increases or general91 |
|---|
| 100 | 100 | | performance based increases received by state employees become effective.92 |
|---|
| 101 | | - | (2.1) Longevity increases that occurred prior to January 1, 2026, shall not be applicable93 |
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| 102 | | - | to any salary calculated under this Code section on or after January 1, 2026.94 |
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| 103 | | - | - 4 - 24 LC 47 3084S |
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| 104 | | - | (3) The county governing authority may supplement the minimum annual salary of the95 |
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| 105 | | - | coroner in such amount as it may fix from time to time; but no coroner's compensation96 |
|---|
| 106 | | - | supplement shall be decreased during any term of office. Any prior expenditure of97 |
|---|
| 107 | | - | county funds to supplement the coroner's salary in the manner authorized by this98 |
|---|
| 108 | | - | paragraph is ratified and confirmed. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall prohibit99 |
|---|
| 109 | | - | the General Assembly by local law from supplementing the annual salary of the coroner.100 |
|---|
| 110 | | - | (a.1) In the event that the coroner or his or her immediate predecessor spent at least 2,080101 |
|---|
| 111 | | - | hours on duties related to his or her role as the coroner and the coroner's office in such102 |
|---|
| 112 | | - | county administered at least 100 death investigations in the preceding calendar year, the103 |
|---|
| 113 | | - | county governing authority shall provide the coroner the same employment benefits it104 |
|---|
| 114 | | - | provides the clerk of the superior court, judge of the probate court, sheriff, or tax105 |
|---|
| 115 | | - | commissioner.106 |
|---|
| 116 | | - | (b) The amounts provided in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section and Code107 |
|---|
| 117 | | - | Section 45-16-11.1, as increased by paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section,108 |
|---|
| 118 | | - | shall be increased by multiplying said amounts by the percentage which equals 5 percent109 |
|---|
| 119 | | - | times the number of completed four-year terms of office served by any coroner after110 |
|---|
| 120 | | - | December 31, 2000 2025, effective the first day of January following the completion of111 |
|---|
| 121 | | - | each such period of service.112 |
|---|
| 122 | | - | (c) The minimum salaries provided for under this Code section shall be in addition to any113 |
|---|
| 123 | | - | fees, including the death investigation fee provided for under subsection (b) of Code114 |
|---|
| 124 | | - | Section 45-16-27, paid by the county governing authority to the coroner on a per-call basis115 |
|---|
| 125 | | - | and in addition to any expenses Reserved.116 |
|---|
| 126 | | - | (d) The minimum salaries provided for in this Code section shall be considered as salary117 |
|---|
| 127 | | - | only. Expenses for deputies, equipment, supplies, copying equipment, and other necessary118 |
|---|
| 128 | | - | and reasonable expenses for the operation of a coroner's office shall come from funds other119 |
|---|
| 129 | | - | than the funds specified as salary in this Code section.120 |
|---|
| 130 | | - | - 5 - 24 LC 47 3084S |
|---|
| 131 | | - | (e) This Code section shall not be construed to reduce the salary of any coroner in office121 |
|---|
| 132 | | - | on July 1, 2001; provided, however, that successors to such coroners in office on July 1,122 |
|---|
| 133 | | - | 2001, Terms of office beginning on or after January 1, 2026, shall be governed by the123 |
|---|
| 134 | | - | provisions of this Code section. All local legislation in effect on July 1, 2001 January 1,124 |
|---|
| 135 | | - | 2026, or enacted thereafter affecting compensation for coroners of the various counties125 |
|---|
| 136 | | - | shall be of full force and effect except where the same provides for a salary lower than126 |
|---|
| 137 | | - | provided in this Code section, in which event this Code section shall prevail."127 |
|---|
| 138 | | - | SECTION 3.128 |
|---|
| 139 | | - | Said chapter is further amended by repealing subsection (b) of Code Section 45-16-27,129 |
|---|
| 140 | | - | relating to when inquest to be held, special situations, coroner's fee, issuance of subpoenas,130 |
|---|
| 141 | | - | cost of copying, and limited disclosure of photographs, and designating said subsection as131 |
|---|
| 142 | | - | reserved.132 |
|---|
| 143 | | - | SECTION 4.133 |
|---|
| 144 | | - | This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2026.134 |
|---|
| 145 | | - | SECTION 5.135 |
|---|
| 146 | | - | All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.136 |
|---|
| 101 | + | (3) The county governing authority may supplement the minimum annual salary of the93 |
|---|
| 102 | + | coroner in such amount as it may fix from time to time; but no coroner's compensation94 |
|---|
| 103 | + | supplement shall be decreased during any term of office. Any prior expenditure of95 |
|---|
| 104 | + | - 4 - 24 LC 44 2841S |
|---|
| 105 | + | county funds to supplement the coroner's salary in the manner authorized by this96 |
|---|
| 106 | + | paragraph is ratified and confirmed. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall prohibit97 |
|---|
| 107 | + | the General Assembly by local law from supplementing the annual salary of the coroner.98 |
|---|
| 108 | + | (a.1) In the event that the coroner or his or her immediate predecessor spent at least 2,08099 |
|---|
| 109 | + | hours on duties related to his or her role as the coroner and the coroner's office in such100 |
|---|
| 110 | + | county administered at least 75 death investigations in the preceding calendar year, the101 |
|---|
| 111 | + | county governing authority shall provide the coroner the same employment benefits it102 |
|---|
| 112 | + | provides the clerk of the superior court, judge of the probate court, sheriff, or tax103 |
|---|
| 113 | + | commissioner.104 |
|---|
| 114 | + | (b) The amounts provided in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section and Code105 |
|---|
| 115 | + | Section 45-16-11.1, as increased by paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section,106 |
|---|
| 116 | + | shall be increased by multiplying said amounts by the percentage which equals 5 percent107 |
|---|
| 117 | + | times the number of completed four-year terms of office served by any coroner after108 |
|---|
| 118 | + | December 31, 2000 2025, effective the first day of January following the completion of109 |
|---|
| 119 | + | each such period of service.110 |
|---|
| 120 | + | (c) The minimum salaries provided for under this Code section shall be in addition to any111 |
|---|
| 121 | + | fees, including the death investigation fee provided for under subsection (b) of Code112 |
|---|
| 122 | + | Section 45-16-27, paid by the county governing authority to the coroner on a per-call basis113 |
|---|
| 123 | + | and in addition to any expenses Reserved.114 |
|---|
| 124 | + | (d) The minimum salaries provided for in this Code section shall be considered as salary115 |
|---|
| 125 | + | only. Expenses for deputies, equipment, supplies, copying equipment, and other necessary116 |
|---|
| 126 | + | and reasonable expenses for the operation of a coroner's office shall come from funds other117 |
|---|
| 127 | + | than the funds specified as salary in this Code section.118 |
|---|
| 128 | + | (e) This Code section shall not be construed to reduce the salary of any coroner in office119 |
|---|
| 129 | + | on July 1, 2001; provided, however, that successors to such coroners in office on July 1,120 |
|---|
| 130 | + | 2001, Terms of office beginning on or after January 1, 2026, shall be governed by the121 |
|---|
| 131 | + | provisions of this Code section. All local legislation in effect on July 1, 2001 January 1,122 |
|---|
| 132 | + | - 5 - 24 LC 44 2841S |
|---|
| 133 | + | 2026, or enacted thereafter affecting compensation for coroners of the various counties123 |
|---|
| 134 | + | shall be of full force and effect except where the same provides for a salary lower than124 |
|---|
| 135 | + | provided in this Code section, in which event this Code section shall prevail."125 |
|---|
| 136 | + | SECTION 3.126 |
|---|
| 137 | + | Said chapter is further amended by repealing subsection (b) of Code Section 45-16-27,127 |
|---|
| 138 | + | relating to when inquest to be held, special situations, coroner's fee, issuance of subpoenas,128 |
|---|
| 139 | + | cost of copying, and limited disclosure of photographs, and designating said subsection as129 |
|---|
| 140 | + | reserved.130 |
|---|
| 141 | + | SECTION 4.131 |
|---|
| 142 | + | This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2026.132 |
|---|
| 143 | + | SECTION 5.133 |
|---|
| 144 | + | All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.134 |
|---|