COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A provision folded into an over 5,000-page budget bill would eliminate elections for county coroners, with industry professionals citing concerns the proposed change could impact the integrity of death investigations.
House Bill 96, Ohio’s proposed budget for the next two years passed by the House earlier this month, included a section that would get rid of elections for coroners in the state and instead allow county boards of commissioners to appoint the position.
Coroners investigate and certify the causes of death for people who die within their jurisdiction, primarily under unnatural or suspicious circumstances. Currently, coroners are elected in almost all of the state’s counties. Summit and Cuyahoga counties alternatively have appointed medical examiners, who typically have more extensive forensic pathology training.
David Corey, executive director of the Ohio State Coroners Association, said his organization was unaware the House was going to include the provision in the budget.
“The provision was a total shock to us,” Corey said. “To make such a massive change like this without any proper debate is very disappointing.”
Five coroners in the Cincinnati area expressed similar sentiments in a letter sent to legislators. The letter said “burying” the provision in a budget bill without contacting individually elected coroners or the state association was “unprofessional and reckless.” It also said appointing the position “removes a layer of democratic oversight” and “risks consolidating investigative power in less accountable, potentially politicized hands.”
“We feel the best system for the state of Ohio and for all Ohioans is to elect the coroner to preserve the impartiality, the integrity and the independence of death investigation in the state,” Corey said. “By being appointed corner, you’re beholden to the people or the person that appoints you, versus trying to just find out the truth and serving the county electorate.”
The County Commissioners Association of Ohio has long lobbied for the change, with a spokesperson saying that many counties have difficulties recruiting candidates for the role. The group also believes the change would allow for commissioners to “share, combine or reorganize” the duties of the coroner across a larger geographic area for a more efficient system.
“Coroners are licensed professionals bound to ethical standards, and we would expect that they would continue to operate in an ethical manner regardless of whether they are elected or appointed,” the spokesperson said.
In Ohio, coroners must, at a minimum, be licensed physicians with two years of experience. Commissioners already have the authority to appoint a coroner if no one elects to run, according to Corey. Under the proposal, appointed coroners, like elected coroners today, would serve four-year terms.
In 20 states, including Ohio, a majority of counties have elected coroners. In 23 states and Washington, D.C., a majority of counties use medical examiners, who are generally appointed. Six states mostly use other county officials for death investigations, such as law enforcement personnel.
In Ohio, the coroner is among a handful of countywide elected positions, alongside the offices of county commissioner, sheriff, prosecuting attorney, treasurer, recorder and clerk of court.
As coroners fight to keep this system, Corey said his organization is looking forward to working with the Senate, where lawmakers will have the chance to negotiate changes and hear public input. A completed version of the bill will be sent to DeWine’s desk for approval by June 30.
As with all spending bills, DeWine can reject certain provisions within the legislation. If the provision passes, appointments for the position across the state would begin in 2029.
The primary sponsor of the budget bill, Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), did not respond to NBC4’s requests for comment.