MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATIONS
OKLAHOMA 2024 SESSION LAW SERVICE Fifty-Ninth Legislature, 2024 Second Regular Session
2024 Okla. Sess. Law Serv. Ch. 262 (S.B. 1516) (WEST)
OKLAHOMA 2024 SESSION LAW SERVICE
Fifty-Ninth Legislature, 2024 Second Regular Session
CHAPTER 262
S.B. No. 1516
MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATIONS
An Act relating to medicolegal investigations; amending 63 O.S. 2021, Section 948.1, which relates to fee schedule; increasing certain fee range; clarifying applicability of certain fee; and providing an effective date.
SUBJECT: Medicolegal investigations
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
<< OK ST T. 63 § 948.1 >>
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 63 O.S. 2021, Section 948.1, is amended to read as follows:
Section 948.1. A. The Board of Medicolegal Investigations may establish a fee schedule for forensic services, permits and reports rendered to members of the public and other agencies.
1. No fee schedule may be established or amended by the Board except during a regular legislative session. The Board shall comply with the Administrative Procedures Act for adoption of rules and establishing or amending any such fee schedule.
2. Except as otherwise specified in this section, the Board shall charge fees only within the following ranges:
a. permit for cremations that occur within the state: One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) to Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) Two Hundred Seventy-five Dollars ($275.00),
b. forensic science service: One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) to Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00),
c. report copies: Ten Dollars ($10.00) for report of investigation, including toxicology, and Twenty Dollars ($20.00) for an autopsy report, including toxicology,
d. x–rays: Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) each,
e. microscopic slides, Hematoxylin, and Eosin (H&E): Ten Dollars ($10.00) each,
f. special stains: Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) each, and
g. photographs: Twenty–five Dollars ($25.00) per compact disc (CD) or other suitable digital storage media.
3. Medical examiner permit certificates shall be required in cases investigated solely for the purpose of issuing a permit for transporting a body out of state.
4. The Board of Medicolegal Investigations shall charge a fee for an investigation and issuance of an out-of-state shipment of transport permit for human remains whenever the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has not been required to conduct an investigation of the death.
5. An out-of-state transport permit and cremation permit shall both be required for bodies containing body parts sent out of state or out of country, while remaining body parts remain unused.
B. The Board shall base the fee schedule for forensic science services, permits and reports upon reasonable costs of review, investigation and forensic science service delivery; provided, however, the fee schedule shall be within the ranges specified in subsection A of this section. The Board shall continue a system of basic and continuing educational service and training for all personnel who render forensic science services in order to ensure uniform statewide application of the rules of the Board. The Board shall consider the reasonable costs associated with such training and continuing education in setting the forensic science service fees.
C. The Board may exempt by rule any agency or class of individuals from the requirements of the fee schedule if the Board determines that the fees would cause an unreasonable economic hardship or would otherwise hinder or conflict with an agency's responsibilities.
D. All statutory fees currently in effect for permits or forensic science services administered by the Chief Medical Examiner and the Board of Medicolegal Investigations within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shall remain in effect until such time as the Board acts to implement new schedules pursuant to the provisions of this section and Section 948 of this title.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
Approved May 2, 2024.
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