SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5300
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Law & Justice, February 7, 2019
Title: An act relating to providing coroners with additional subpoena duces tecum authority.
Brief Description: Providing coroners with additional subpoena duces tecum authority.
Sponsors: Senators Padden, Liias, Pedersen and Van De Wege.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 1/31/19, 2/07/19 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Pedersen, Chair; Dhingra, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Member; Holy, Kuderer, Salomon and Wilson, L.
Staff: Tim Ford (786-7423)
Background: Coroners and medical examiners have the same legal authority, duties, and responsibilities. Coroners take jurisdiction over human remains and conduct death scene investigations if the cause and manner of death appears suspicious or is unknown. In larger counties, the legislative authority appoints a medical examiner who has forensic pathology training. Smaller counties elect their coroner. Coroners administer the county coroner's office and arrange for fornsic pathology services when needed.  Start a new sentence.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill: This is the summary section.
EFFECT OF CHANGES:
  • Adding the effect statement.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO:  This is a mighty fine bill.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Mike Padden, Prime Sponsor; Dr. Davidson, Cowlitz Co. Coroner / WACME President; Warren McLeod, Lewis County Coroner; Dan Blasdel, Washington Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners.
 
 
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.