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HB 1246

relative to planning board members serving on other local boards.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Deborah Aylward and 3 co-sponsors

If no local coroner is available, sheriffs, the State Highway Patrol, or BCI agents must involve the nearest adjacent-county coroner; or, if unavailable, the state forensic examine

Signed by Governor Ayotte 04/22/2026; Chapter 33; eff. 06/21/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 1246

Summary — HB 1246 (North Dakota)

AN ACT to amend and reenact section 11‑19.1‑06 of the North Dakota Century Code — Individuals authorized to act in the absence of a coroner

Main purpose

To clarify and expand who may perform coroner duties in counties where a coroner does not reside or is not available, and to establish a clear escalation path (including use of the state forensic examiner) when local coroners cannot reasonably respond.

Key provisions

  • Amends NDCC § 11‑19.1‑06 to specify that, in counties where a coroner is not resident or available, the duties of the coroner:
    • Must be performed by the sheriff, the State Highway Patrol, or any special agent of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
    • Require the sheriff, State Highway Patrol, or BCI special agent to call upon the nearest coroner or deputy coroner from another (adjacent) county to investigate the medical cause of death for coroner cases in that county.
  • Provides an alternate escalation: if distance or adverse conditions make an adjacent county coroner unavailable, the sheriff, State Highway Patrol, or BCI special agent shall request the state forensic examiner — or the examiner’s designee — to investigate and certify the medical cause of death.

Who is affected

  • Counties without a resident or available coroner (policy directly applies to them).
  • Local law enforcement: county sheriffs, State Highway Patrol personnel, and BCI special agents (they may perform duties and must make required calls/requests).
  • Coroners and deputy coroners in adjacent counties (may be called upon to investigate deaths outside their home county).
  • The state forensic examiner and the examiner’s designees (may be asked to respond when local coroners are unavailable).
  • Indirectly affects families, funeral providers, and criminal investigations that depend on timely death determinations.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Bill amends and reenacts NDCC § 11‑19.1‑06.
  • Legislative actions recorded: introduced (filed) 11/12/2024; passed both chambers (House vote 82–11; Senate vote 47–0); emergency clause adopted; returned to House and enrolled; Governor approval recorded 3/21/2025; filed with Secretary of State 3/24/2025. The bill is identified as Act 409.
  • Because an emergency clause was adopted, the law took effect immediately upon the Governor’s approval and filing (3/21–3/24/2025), rather than at a later effective date.

Practical impact/notes

  • The amendment formalizes cross‑county cooperation for coroner duties and creates a statutory fallback to the state forensic examiner when local resources cannot respond due to distance or conditions.
  • The change is procedural/operational in nature; it clarifies authority and response options but does not create substantive new duties beyond existing investigative obligations. Potential operational impacts include coordination between counties and possible additional demands on the state forensic examiner in exceptional circumstances.

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

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