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Bill would require independent medical examiners for some in-custody deaths in counties where sheriff also serves as coroner
Summary
AB 1108 would require counties with combined sheriff-coroner offices to refer medical investigations in custody deaths to independent medical examiners or neighboring counties; supporters said it reduces perceived conflicts, opponents said contracting and existing autopsy practices mean conflicts would persist.
Assemblymember Hart presented AB 1108, a targeted bill to reduce perceived conflicts of interest in counties where elected sheriffs also serve as coroners. The measure would require sheriffs to refer medical investigations of in-custody deaths to an outside medical examiner or independent coroner, or to contract with such an independent practitioner.
"California is one of only three states in the country to allow sheriffs to simultaneously serve as coroners," Hart said. He cited a 2024 Santa Barbara County grand jury report noting the real and perceived conflicts that can arise when the same office oversees custody and investigates deaths.
Supporters included the California Public Defenders Association and family members of people who died in custody; Margo George said independence of medical determinations is essential to public trust. "The public must be able to trust that the cause and manner of death have been determined objectively and accurately by a physician and without influence from the agency responsible for that person's incarceration," she said.
Opponents, including the Sheriffs' Association, argued the bill misunderstands how medical determinations are made and that licensed physicians perform autopsies regardless of the coroner model. The Sheriffs' Association said mandatory contracting with other counties could strain resources and create delays and costs. Families and reform advocates countered that contracting practices can perpetuate conflicts if counties simply hire the same outside physicians long tied to sheriff offices.
Senators asked about amendment options to strengthen independence and to provide contracting mechanisms that would avoid perceived conflicts; the author said he was preparing technical amendments to require independent contracts overseen by a county body other than the sheriff's office.
No committee vote occurred; the hearing ended with members requesting additional technical fixes.
