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SF 4660

Procedure to select the Hennepin County medical examiner modification

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ann Johnson Stewart

Establishes a Medical Examiner Board to select a four-year ME term from top seven qualified applicants, with specified professional credentials and Board-ranked appointment.

Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders HF4241, SF indefinitely postponed
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Bill Summary · SF 4660

Summary of SF 4660 (Session 2025-2026) – Hennepin County Medical Examiner: Modification of Selection Procedure

Purpose

  • To modify the procedure for selecting the Hennepin County medical examiner (ME) by establishing a formal Medical Examiner Board and a defined process for appointing the ME, with a four-year term and specific qualifications for applicants.

Key Provisions

  • Section 390.0065 (as amended by SF 4660) establishes the new selection framework:

    • Formation of a Medical Examiner Board appointed by the Hennepin County Board. The Board shall consist of three licensed physicians:
    • Member 1: A dean or professor of the Department of Pathology of a Class A medical school as designated by the American Medical Association (AMA).
    • Member 2: A professor of pathology in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Minnesota.
    • Member 3: A member designated by the Hennepin County Medical Association from its membership.
    • The director of medical examiner operations at the Hennepin County ME Office shall be designated as the third member or participate via designation by the county medical association? (Text indicates the third member is designated by the Hennepin County Medical Association from its membership, the director of ME operations is listed nearby as a possible designation but the exact drafting implies the third member comes from the county medical association’s membership; the language could benefit clarification.)

  • Board responsibilities:

    • Accept applications for the ME position whenever a vacancy exists.
    • Applications shall be from physicians who: 1) Graduated from an American Medical Association (AMA) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) recognized medical school. 2) Are members in good standing in the medical profession. 3) Are eligible for appointment to the staff of Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and have a Minnesota medical license. 4) Are certified or eligible for certification in forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology.
    • The Medical Examiner Board shall review qualifications, rank applicants deemed qualified, and provide the county board with a report listing the seven highest-ranked applicants and their qualifications.

  • Appointment and term:

    • The Hennepin County Board appoints the county ME from the list provided by the Medical Examiner Board.
    • Term length: Four years from the date of appointment.
    • Reappointment: Must occur at least 90 days before the end of the term.
    • Temporary vacancy: If needed, the Board of Commissioners shall appoint a medical doctor from the staff of the county ME office to perform ME duties until a compliant appointment is made.
    • Expenses: Actual and necessary expenses of the Medical Examiner Board shall be paid under state law provisions (Minnesota Statutes §§ 471.38 to 471.415).

  • Effective date: The section becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Who is Affected

  • Hennepin County government and its processes for selecting the medical examiner.
  • Prospective candidates for Hennepin County ME, who must meet the specified qualifications and go through the ME Board ranking process.
  • The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, including its operations and appointment procedures.
  • The Hennepin County Medical Association (via representation on the Board).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Procedure creation and implementation upon enactment:
    • Once enacted, the Hennepin County Board must appoint the ME from the Board’s ranked list.
    • Four-year term with a mandatory 90-day advance preparation period for potential reelection or appointment.
  • Temporary appointment mechanism:
    • In the event of a vacancy, a temporary ME will be appointed from the ME staff to ensure continuity of operations.
  • Reporting and selection process:
    • The Board reviews and ranks all qualified applicants, prepares a list of the top seven, and submits the list and qualifications to the County Board for appointment.

Additional Notes

  • The bill text references a comparison with HF4241/SF4660 in the legislative process and shows committee action, but the substantive content remains focused on establishing a formal ME Board, qualifications, ranking process, and appointment mechanism.
  • The amendment emphasizes forensic pathology certification and ties the appointment to professional credentials and affiliations with Minnesota medical institutions.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or HF4241/SFXXXX (the related companion bill) to highlight any nuanced differences.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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