BILL REQ. #:  H-3662.1 

Prefiled 12/07/09. Read first time 01/11/10.   Referred to Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness.

     AN ACT Relating to forensic investigations; amending RCW 43.103.040; and adding a new section to chapter 43.103 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.103 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The council shall develop minimum standards for facilities used to perform autopsies in order to ensure that such facilities are designed and equipped in a manner that promotes accurate and efficient autopsies. The minimum standards shall include, but not be limited to, standards in the following areas:
     (a) Equipment;
     (b) Sanitation;
     (c) Lighting; and
     (d) Ventilation and other environmental systems.
     (2) The council shall also:
     (a) Develop a written methodology for determining whether a facility is in compliance with the minimum standards; and
     (b) Make recommendations regarding:
     (i) An inspection mechanism that could be used by a certifying body to determine whether a facility is in compliance with the minimum standards; and
     (ii) Other methods through which the minimum standards could be implemented on a statewide basis.
     (3) The council shall report the minimum standards, the methodology, and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than December 1, 2011.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.103.040 and 1995 c 398 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     The council shall consist of ((twelve)) thirteen members who shall be selected as follows: One county coroner; one county prosecutor; one county prosecutor who also serves as ex officio county coroner; one county medical examiner from a county with a population of over six hundred thousand; one county medical examiner from a county with a population of under five hundred thousand; one county sheriff; one chief of police; the chief of the state patrol; two members of a county legislative authority; one pathologist who is currently in private practice; and two members of a city legislative authority.
     The governor shall appoint members to the council from among the nominees submitted for each position as follows: The Washington association of county officials shall submit two nominees each for the coroner position and the medical examiner positions; the Washington state association of counties shall submit two nominees each for the two county legislative authority positions; the association of Washington cities shall submit two nominees each for the two city legislative authority positions; the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys shall submit two nominees each for the county prosecutor-ex officio county coroner and for the county prosecutor position; the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall submit two nominees each for the county sheriff position and the chief of police position; and the Washington association of pathologists shall submit two nominees for the private pathologist position.