LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 721
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Chapter 721
(House Bill 373)
AN ACT concerning
State Postmortem Examiners Commission – Minimum Staffing Requirements
FOR the purpose of requiring the State Postmortem Examiners Commission Maryland
Department of Health to ensure that the number of staff employed by the State
Postmortem Examiners Commission does not fall to a level that would constitute a
Phase II violation according to the National Association of Medical Examiners; and
generally relating to the State Postmortem Examiners Commission.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Health – General
Section 5–305(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Health – General
5–305.
(a) (1) The Commission may employ a staff in accordance with the State
budget for the operation of the Commission and to maintain accreditation.
(2) The staff shall include:
(i) 1 chief medical examiner;
(ii) 2 deputy chief medical examiners;
(iii) Assistant medical examiners;
(iv) 1 chief State toxicologist, 1 deputy chief State toxicologist, lead
toxicologists, and assistant toxicologists;
(v) 1 serologist;
(vi) 4 resident medical doctors who are training in forensic pathology;
(vii) 1 chief forensic investigator, 2 deputy chief forensic
investigators, lead forensic investigators, and assistant forensic investigators; and Ch. 721 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(viii) 1 autopsy services supervisor, 1 deputy supervisor, lead autopsy
technicians, and assistant autopsy technicians.
(3) The Commission may employ any physician on a contract basis for
part–time services.
(4) THE COMMISSION DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSURE THAT TH E
NUMBER OF STAFF EMPL OYED BY THE COMMISSION DOES NOT F ALL TO A LEVEL
THAT WOULD CONSTITUT E A PHASE II VIOLATION ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, Th at this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2022.
Enacted under Article II, § 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution, May 29, 2022.