BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3716
86R13281 JG-F	By: Parker et al. (Nelson)
	Criminal Justice
	5/16/2019
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current law states that a commissioners court of any county with a population of more than one million (and without a reputable medical school) must establish an office of medical examiner. Interested parties contend that increasing this population bracket would assist many rapidly‑growing cities across the state. To provide relief to such cities, H.B. 3716 would amend this law to require commissioners courts in any county (with or without a reputable medical school) with a population of more than two million, rather than one million, to establish and maintain an office of medical examiner.

 

H.B. 3716 amends current law relating to the establishment of the office of medical examiner in certain counties.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1, Article 49.25, Code of Criminal Procedure, as follows:

 

Sec. 1. OFFICE AUTHORIZED. Requires the commissioners court of any county having a population of more than two million, subject to the provisions of this article, to establish and maintain the office of medical examiner, and authorizes the commissioners court of any county to establish and provide for the maintenance of the office of medical examiner, rather than requiring the commissioners court of any county having a population of more than one million and not having a reputable medical school as defined in Articles 4501 and 4503, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, subject to the provisions of this Act, to establish and maintain the office of medical examiner, and authorizing the commissioners court of any county to establish and provide for the maintenance of the office of medical examiner.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.