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Board votes to permanently waive medical examiner transport and storage fee for county residents
Summary
After a six‑month pilot, supervisors approved ongoing funding to eliminate a $400 transportation and storage fee charged by the County Medical Examiner; the CEO reported ongoing funds identified and placed in a PFU.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to direct the Chief Executive Office and the County Medical Examiner to identify and put in place permanent funding to eliminate the Medical Examiner’s transportation and storage fee for county residents.
Supervisor Hilda Solis, the motion’s lead, said the $400 fee placed an unexpected financial burden on grieving families. The board had approved a 180‑day pilot waiver in March 2024; county staff collected demographic and operational data during that period and reported preliminary findings showing the fee disproportionately impacted low‑income families.
The motion directs the CEO, in collaboration with the Medical Examiner, to find ongoing funding to permanently eliminate the fee. Chief Medical Examiner (referred to in the transcript as Dr. Ukpo) told the board the department had implemented a hospital sign‑out program to reduce unnecessary transports and that the change eliminated roughly 1,300 transports annually—saving approximately $500,000. Supervisor Ripples of concern asked about the projected annual cost to make the waiver permanent; Solis cited an estimated $720,000 annual projection in discussion and the CEO said ongoing funding had already been identified and placed in a Program/Project Funding Unit (PFU).
Supervisor Janice Hahn, co‑author of the motion, noted that the county administers its own transport services rather than contracting them out, which gave the county flexibility to eliminate the fee. CEO BCA Davenport confirmed the office had identified funding and that the item had been scored through the county’s fiscal resiliency protocol.
The board approved the motion by roll call 5–0. The motion was moved by Supervisor Hilda Solis and seconded by Supervisor Janice Hahn. Supervisors Hilda Solis, Holly Mitchell, Lindsey Horvath, Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger recorded aye votes.
Supporters said eliminating the fee reduced a financial barrier during mourning and provided equity for families who experienced disproportionate COVID‑era impacts. Board members asked staff to ensure the change is budgeted and sustainable and to report back on implementation details.
Votes at a glance - Item 12 (eliminate medical examiner transportation and storage fee): Moved by Supervisor Hilda Solis; seconded by Supervisor Janice Hahn; outcome: approved, 5–0 (Solis, Mitchell, Horvath, Hahn, Barger — aye).
