HomeMy WebLinkAbout14-029RESOLUTION NO. 14-029
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
OPPOSING HOUSE BILL 301 AND SENATE BILL 584 RELATING TO MEDICAL EXAMINERS, WHICH
WOULD CLARIFY THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A CASE MUST BE REFERRED TO THE
DISTRICT MEDICAL EXAMINER FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CAUSE OF DEATH AND PROHIBIT
USER FEES FOR SPECIFIED SERVICES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the
following determinations:
1. The Florida House is considering a bill amending §382.011 F.S. clarifyingthe circumstances
under which a case must be referred to the district medical examiner for the determination of
cause of death. A companion bill, Senate Bill 584, has been filed in the Florida Senate.
2. These bills would amend §406.06 F.S. prohibiting user fees for specified services.
3. The District 19 Medical Examiner Office, along with the majority of other districts, receives
funding from certifying cremation requests.
4. Certification of cremation requests (i.e. inspection of physician generated death
certificates) utilizes a substantial amount oftime and resources of the Medical Examiner and staff.
This procedure ensures the correctness of the death certificate for the cause and manner of death
and any other issues, for the benefit of Florida families.
5. In the 2012-13 budget year, cremation user fees constituted approximately 20% of the
Medical Examiner budget. This change in the law will have a significant negative impact on the
Medical Examiner's budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida:
Section 1: This Board opposes House Bill 301 and Senate Bill 584.
Section 2: The County Administrator is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Governor Rick Scott, the County's Legislative Delegation and the Florida Association of Counties.
Section 3: This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 11`h day of March, 2014.
ATT S
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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Chair
APPROVED TO FORM AND
CORR E
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BY:
County Attor ey
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