H259 - 2023 Appropriations Act. (SL 2023-134)

Overview: Section 9H.10 of S.L. 2023-134 provides that of the funds appropriated to the Office of the Chief Medical Examier (OCME), Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), $2 million in recurring funds for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, and $2 million in recurring funds for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, must be allocated to Union County for operational costs and equipment associated with the establishment of a county-operated regional autopsy center. There are nine counties, including Union, specified to be served by the autopsy center.

Union County must notify DHHS, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division when the autopsy center funded by this section is operational. OCME is required to enter into a contract with Union County with specified terms.

The section also requires Union County to submit progress reports by February 1, 2024, and December 1, 2024, to DHHS, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on the status and operation of the regional autopsy center.

This section became effective July 1, 2023.