HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12032013 - SD.1RECOMMENDATION(S):
1. OPEN public hearing on Ordinance No. 2013-23 as introduced on November 12, 2013
2. RECEIVE testimony and CLOSE public hearing
3. ADOPT Ordinance No. 2013-23 to authorize an increase in the fees of private autopsies and attendant investigation
into the cause and manner of a death at the written request of the decedent’s legal next of kin completed by the
Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The additional revenue cannot be estimated, however an increase in the fee charged for private autopsies from
$1,000.00 to $2,995.00 will result in the additional revenue required to off-set the costs of providing this service.
BACKGROUND:
Under Government Code section 27520 subdivision (a), the Coroner shall perform or cause to be performed an
autopsy on a decedent if the surviving spouse or family member
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 12/03/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: Mary Jane Robb,
925-335-1557
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 3, 2013
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
SD.1
To:Board of Supervisors
From:David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Date:December 3, 2013
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:ORDINANCE NO. 2013-23: INCREASE CORONER'S FEE FOR PRIVATE AUTOPSIES
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
deemed to be the legal “next of kin” requests him to do so in writing. These procedures are referred to as “Private
Autopsies”, in that the Coroner has deemed he has no jurisdiction or need to inquire further into the decedent’s
death and the autopsy has been requested by a private party. Government Code section 27520 subdivision (c)
requires this fee to be borne by the person requesting the autopsy. The Coroner’s Division currently charges
$1,000.00 to conduct an autopsy at the request of a private party. Over the years, the myriad costs involved with
performing an autopsy have significantly increased. These additional costs require a commensurate increase in the
Coroner’s Private Autopsy fee to ensure the County is fully reimbursed for services provided at the request of a
private person.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Private autopsies will require the use of county funds and will result in a deficit in the Office of the
Sheriff-Coroner’s budget.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
No impact.
CLERK'S ADDENDUM
CLOSED the public hearing; and ADOPTED Ordinance No. 2013-23 to authorize an increase in the fees of
private autopsies and attendant investigation into the cause and manner of a death at the written request of the
decedent’s legal next of kin completed by the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance No. 2013-23
Background
Fee Schedule
Survey
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF-CORONER
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
FIELD OPERATIONS BUREAU
CORONER’S DIVISION
CORONER’S SERVICES FEE SCHEDULE
FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014
Autopsy
Survivor Requested Autopsy to determine cause of death only …………..….……….$2,995.00
(Includes removal fees. Laboratory costs extra if any)
Body Removal
Body removal fee cost charged to Mortuary…………………………………………....……..$267.00
(Minimum fee required by state law)
Removal Supplies/Equipment
Removal supplies and/or equipment fee charge to Mortuary ………………..…$45.00 to $75.00
Coroner’s Reports
Coroner’s Report ……………………………………………………………….……….$26.00 per copy
(Includes Coroner Investigator’s report, Autopsy report, and Laboratory results, if any)
Note: No charge for legal next of kin, hospital, medical professionals or government agencies.
Discovery Request
(Compilation of information for non-government agencies)
Support Staff ……………..………………$32.00 per hour or part thereof plus shipping if any.
(Laboratory Aide, Clerical, etc.)
Sworn and Technical Staff……..……..$149.00 per hour or part thereof plus shipping if any.
(Sergeant, Deputy Sheriff-Coroner, Criminalist, Fingerprint Examiner or Technician)
Copy of Coroner Photographs and X-rays
(Per State Law these items are released for criminal prosecution, civil trial and per court order only)
Photographs………………………………………………………….…………………………$10.00 each
X-Rays…………………………………………………………………………………………....$75.00 each
Protective Clothing
Autopsy Suite Personal Protective Clothing………………………………………………$10.00 each