Reestablishes the office of coroner in the county of Oswego and removing the powers and duties of coroners from the district attorney in such county and allows Oswego County to appoint a coroner

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Walczyk

Reestablishes an independent Oswego County coroner’s office, shifting death investigations from the DA to a county-appointed coroner.

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Summary: S 8305 – Reestablishes Oswego County Coroner’s Office

What the bill does

Reestablishes the office of coroner in Oswego County.

Removes the powers and duties of coroners from the county district attorney.

Allows Oswego County to appoint a coroner.

Main purpose and intent

Create an independent coroner’s office in Oswego County to conduct investigations into certain deaths and inquests, separate from the district attorney’s office.

Provide Oswego County with authority over the appointment and administration of the coroner, rather than delegating those duties to the DA.

Key provisions (as disclosed)

Establishment of a dedicated coroner’s office in Oswego County.

Transfer of coroner-related powers and duties away from the district attorney in Oswego County.

Authorization for Oswego County to appoint a coroner (details on appointment process, qualifications, term length, and funding would be defined in the bill text or implementing rules).

Note: The available information does not include the full text, so specifics such as appointment qualifications, term lengths, staffing, budget, and procedural duties are not listed here and would be defined in the enacted version or accompanying regulations.

Who would be affected

Oswego County residents and families, whose death investigations and inquests would be handled by a county coroner instead of the DA’s office.

Oswego County government, which would establish and fund the coroner’s office.

Oswego County District Attorney’s Office, which would see the transfer of coroner duties and authority.

Potential candidates or appointees to the coroner position, and related medical/legal staff involved in death investigations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: May 30, 2025.

Status: REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Legislative actions show the same referral on 2025-05-30, indicating the bill is in early committee consideration in the Senate.

Related companion bills exist in the Assembly (A 5574) and a prior-session Senate bill (S 9335), suggesting cross-chamber interest.

Related legislation

S 9335 (prior-session) – related bill in a previous session.

A 5574 (companion) – Assembly counterpart.

Potential impact and considerations

Administrative: Creation and funding of a new county office; clarified duties and standards would be needed in the text.

Legal/procedural: A clearer framework for death investigations, inquests, and interagency cooperation.

Fiscal: Budget implications for staffing, facilities, and ongoing operations; dependent on enacted provisions.

Next steps

If advanced, the bill would move through committee hearings in Local Government, with potential amendments, then floor consideration in the Senate, and coordination with the Assembly companion (A 5574) for final passage and possible gubernatorial action.