HB544 Summary

• Establishes the Escambia County Medical Examiner position as an agent of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences rather than a county employee, with liability coverage equivalent to state Merit System employees.

• Changes the appointment process from the Escambia County Medical Society to a nominating committee consisting of the County Commission Chair, District Attorney, Sheriff, and Chief Medical Examiner of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

• Sets the medical examiner term at six years aligned with the district attorney's term cycle, with the first appointee after October 1, 2025, serving until January 20, 2029.

• Allows the Director of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to waive the physician requirement when appointing interim medical examiners and to appoint interim examiners within 14 days of a vacancy.

• Repeals Section 45-27-60.14 regarding medical examiner compensation and becomes effective October 1, 2025.