Purpose

This bill changes how the Hennepin County medical examiner is selected. It adds a formal Medical Examiner Board and a specific process to choose the county’s medical examiner, replacing the prior method. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 390.0065 to implement this new selection procedure and to set the terms and qualifications for the position.

Main Provisions

• Establishment of a Medical Examiner Board
  • The Hennepin County Board must designate three licensed physicians to form the Medical Examiner Board.
  • Board members include:
  • One member who is a dean or professor in the Department of Pathology of a Class A medical school, as designated by the American Medical Association (AMA).
  • One professor of pathology from the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Minnesota.
  • One member who is a pathologist from the Minnesota Society of Pathologists practicing at Hennepin Healthcare.
  • One member designated by the Hennepin County Medical Association from its membership, and, separately, the director of medical examiner operations at the Hennepin County Medical Examiners Office.
• Qualifications for applicants
  • Applications are open when there is a vacancy in the office.
  • Eligible applicants must be doctors of medicine (MD) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) who:
  • Are graduates of a medical school recognized by the AMA or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
  • In good standing in the medical profession.
  • Eligible for appointment to the staff of the Hennepin County Medical Center.
  • Licensed to practice medicine in Minnesota.
  • Certified or eligible for certification in forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology.
• Selection process
  • The Medical Examiner Board reviews applicants and ranks those deemed qualified.
  • The board must provide the county board with a report listing the seven highest-ranked applicants and their qualifications.
  • The county board appoints the county medical examiner from those named in the report.
• Term, vacancy, and temporary appointments
  • The medical examiner’s term is four years from the date of appointment.
  • Reappointment must occur at least 90 days before the term ends.
  • If a vacancy occurs, the county Board of Commissioners may appoint a medical doctor on the staff of the county medical examiner’s office to perform duties until a full appointment is made following the specified selection procedure.
• Expenses
  • The actual and necessary expenses of the Medical Examiner Board are paid according to Minnesota statutes 471.38 to 471.415.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Replaces or modifies the prior selection method for the Hennepin County medical examiner with a formal board-based process.
• Creates a specialized Medical Examiner Board with specific professional composition and credentials.
• Establishes a structured, ranked applicant reporting requirement (top seven) to guide the county board’s appointment.
• Sets a four-year term for the examiner and adds a defined process for temporary replacements and expense coverage.

Effects and Stakeholders

• Affects Hennepin County government, the Hennepin County Medical Center, Hennepin Healthcare, and the Hennepin County Medical Association.
• Affects potential applicants by imposing clear academic and professional qualifications, including board certification in forensic pathology.

Relevant Terms - Hennepin County medical examiner - Medical Examiner Board - forensic pathology - American Medical Association (AMA) - American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - University of Minnesota Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology - Minnesota Society of Pathologists - Hennepin County Medical Association - director of medical examiner operations - Hennepin County Medical Examiners Office - staff of the county medical examiner’s office - board certification (forensic pathology) - American Board of Pathology - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 390.0065 - four-year term - appointment process - temporary appointment - Sections 471.38 to 471.415 (expense provision)