Coroner subcommittee outlines draft proposals to boost autopsy capacity and funding

Kelly Brasfield of the Idaho Association of Counties briefed the committee on the coroner system subcommittee’s work since the OPE report. She noted recent legislative progress: Senate Bill 1250 (decendent photo confidentiality) and Senate Bill 1101 (statutory modernizations). The subcommittee is discussing three draft proposals designed to build professional standards and sustainable funding.

Brasfield described the three draft ideas under consideration: (1) require newly elected coroners to become certified within a set time after taking office (not retroactive), (2) require autopsies in cases identified as high priority for public health and safety, and (3) increase the death certificate fee (currently $16) to generate revenue for autopsies and system improvements. She told the committee a $1 increase could raise roughly $90,000 annually and that capacity limitations in Ada County and across the state mean any autopsy mandate needs matched capacity funding.

Why it matters: The OPE report highlighted inconsistencies and capacity gaps in Idaho’s coroner system. Brasfield said the subcommittee also is exploring an MOU for county mutual assistance and touring facilities to identify options for adding autopsy capacity in Eastern Idaho. Committee members recommended considering inflationary adjustments and federal funding opportunities when assessing fee increases and facility options.

Next steps: The subcommittee will continue exploring funding and capacity options and may bring draft language for session consideration; staff and committee members asked to be kept informed of cost and capacity estimates.