The Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission heard from two presenters about whether the county's coroner function should remain paired with law enforcement or be an autonomous office. Dan Haggerty, introduced as a Jefferson County commissioner and former sheriff/coroner, described the practical responsibilities when law enforcement serves as coroner: securing scenes, ensuring chain of custody, and deciding whether detectives should be involved. "You are the coroner. You are the first one in charge, and you do not release that body until you tell everyone else that they're allowed to do so," Haggerty said, describing the scene‑control role of a law‑enforcement coroner.

Jason Parrish, who identified himself as a civilian coroner, told commissioners that Montana law requires coroners to determine cause and manner of death and described training requirements. "The duty of a coroner is to determine the cause of death and the manner of death," Parrish said, noting state training (40 hours initial, 16 hours every two years) and field mentorship for new deputies. Parrish outlined how the coroner's office maintains chain of custody for narcotics and personal property: items are bagged, sealed and inventoried, photographed, and tracked in an electronic evidence log.

Commissioners questioned whether the coroner should be elected or appointed and whether statutory minimums are sufficient. Parrish recommended raising baseline qualifications in local charter language — suggesting either a four‑year degree or EMT/paramedic certification or equivalent experience — and urged establishing a standard operating procedures manual and seeking accreditation through the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners to preserve institutional knowledge if an inexperienced candidate is elected.

No formal change was adopted; commissioners asked for further work by a small group to draft options and noted that any charter proposals will come back to the commission and then to the public for comment and, if approved, to the ballot.