SB738 Summary

• Renames the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to the Office of the State Medical Examiner and restructures its governance under Board oversight with a new Chief Administrative Officer position.

• Modifies the Board of Medicolegal Investigations membership from 8 to 9 members, changes meeting requirements to monthly, increases quorum from 4 to 5 members, and adds qualifications requirements for designees.

• Establishes a Chief Administrative Officer appointed by the Board with minimum bachelor's degree in business/management or 5 years administrative experience, responsible for office administration and staff hiring; appoints the Chief Medical Examiner position subordinate to the Chief Administrative Officer.

• Authorizes hire of a transition coordinator (maximum 3 years, capped salary $80,000) to oversee relocation of the office to proximity of University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Institute and implementation of statutory changes.

• Modifies evidence admission rules to make certified reports self-authenticating in civil cases and establishes fee schedules for forensic services, permits, and cremation ($100-$200), with laboratory analysis fees and storage fees deposited to agency revolving funds.