Hawaii House Bill HB1152

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/21
• Refer: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/4/21

Caption

Relating To Medical Examiners.

Impact

The legislation aims to standardize death investigation protocols across the counties and ensure more professional oversight in cases of suspicious or unexplained fatalities. By establishing medical examiners as the primary authority for these investigations, the bill facilitates a consistent investigative process that may enhance the accuracy and reliability of death determinations. Furthermore, it allows for the appointment of deputy medical examiners to assist in these duties, enabling a more robust framework to manage death investigations throughout the year, including holidays.

Summary

House Bill 1152 introduces significant legislative changes regarding the role and operations of medical examiners in Hawaii. The bill mandates that each county appoint a licensed medical examiner responsible for conducting investigations into unattended deaths. The skills and qualifications required for these positions are clearly delineated; a medical examiner must be a licensed physician and hold certification as an anatomic or forensic pathologist. This ensures that the personnel responsible for death investigations possess the necessary expertise in forensic medicine to carry out their duties effectively.

Contention

One point of contention surrounding HB 1152 is the potential implications for existing coroner systems and local administrative structures. The repeal of certain sections that provide for coroners signifies a shift in oversight from potentially varied local practices to a single, more uniform model of medical investigation. Critics might argue that this centralization could undermine local customs or practices regarding death investigations, raising concerns about compliance with community standards and the loss of localized judicial authority.