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DENVER, CO - On August 7, two laws that strengthen standards for tissue banks to better protect human remains and require county coroners to have certain qualifications and training to ensure high standards of Colorado’s death investigators go into effect.
“When someone is grieving, they deserve to know that their loved one is being treated with respect, dignity, and professionalism,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1254. “Unfortunately, Colorado has made national headlines over the mistreatment in funeral homes, and with this new law going into effect, we will help prevent these occurrences in the future and honor those we have lost.”
HB24-1254 continues the regulation of nontransplant tissue banks, updates standards of practice, and prohibits compensating a funeral establishment for human remains. This law expands requirements to disclose that the nontransplant tissue bank may sell all or any portion of the remains and that the donor may choose to limit the sale of the donated remains, including prohibiting sale to a foreign buyer for nonmedical research or military use.
“This legislation was long overdue, and will ensure that coroners in large counties have a skill set that matches the critical services those offices provide,” said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1100. “County coroners' findings have major implications for public health and safety, criminal justice proceedings, and in providing closure for surviving loved ones of the deceased. I'm grateful that El Paso County Coroner Dr. Leon Kelly brought this bill idea to me, so that we can uphold the integrity of this essential public service."
HB24-1100 requires a county coroner in a county with a population over 150,000 to either be a death investigator certified by and in good standing with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, or be a forensic pathologist certified by and in good standing with the American Board of Pathology.
County coroner is an elected position and under current law, county coroners only need to be residents of the county they serve and have a high school diploma or college degree. This law helps ensure that those who run for a county coroner position are properly trained and certified by national organizations.