All Roll Calls
Yes: 223 • No: 0
IndianaHB 1031Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)HouseWALLET
County coroners.
Sponsored By: Karen Engleman (Republican)
Became Law
local governmentthe senatecorrections and criminal law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
Stronger overdose testing and hospital sample rules
If a coroner suspects an overdose, the coroner must test blood or other fluids and check prescription data. The coroner must also test for xylazine in certain opioid cases and report results to the state health department. Starting January 1, 2026, hospitals must keep the first blood sample for certain emergency inpatients, and labs must hold the first sample until the earliest of 21 days, discharge, or death. Coroners can request these samples without a warrant under the law. These steps standardize evidence handling and speed overdose investigations. Most overdose testing and reporting rules start July 1, 2026.
Required training and penalties for coroners
Coroners and deputy coroners must complete a 40-hour initial course and an eight-hour annual course. The training is built with the law enforcement academy and covers death investigations, crime scenes, and evidence. Coroners have six months to finish the initial course; deputies have one year. Until trained, they cannot run investigations or sign death certificates. Knowingly violating that rule is a Class B misdemeanor. Paychecks must be withheld if proof of training is not shown, unless local leaders find unusual circumstances or progress. If someone starts but does not finish a course on time, the county must repay the training cost and can recover it from that person. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
Police-coroner teamwork and family notices
For violent, suspicious, or found-dead cases, the coroner must alert police before the scene is disturbed. Police secure the scene and help determine cause and manner of death. The coroner has exclusive custody of the body and works with police when examining or moving it. The coroner must file the death certificate within 72 hours after finishing the investigation. After consulting police, the coroner must tell crematories, cemeteries, or prepaid funeral sellers if someone is barred from authorizing cremation or disposition, or if a prepaid contract is unenforceable. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
Stronger privacy for autopsy photos
Autopsy photos, videos, and audio held by a medical examiner are confidential. Certain family members and government units can get access under the law. Training use must mask identities and include a warning about limits. Letting others view or use the media outside allowed purposes is a Class A misdemeanor. These rules start July 1, 2026.
Old coroner witness fees repealed
Starting July 1, 2026, witnesses before a coroner no longer get the same fees as court witnesses. The law also removes the old rule to write down testimony and certain recognizance or commitment steps.
Autopsy rules for young children and waivers
If a child under age three dies suddenly and unexpectedly, the coroner cannot certify the cause of death unless an autopsy is done at county expense. An autopsy can be skipped only if two physicians file separate affidavits within 24 hours that give the same cause of death and two witnesses corroborate, at the next-of-kin’s request. When an autopsy is needed, a board-certified pathologist or a supervised pathology resident must perform it. The county must pay the physician at least $50. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
Clear cornea donation rules and costs
When an autopsy is required, the coroner can allow cornea removal only if it is not needed for the autopsy or evidence and facial appearance is unchanged. An eye bank must try to contact within six hours and give a written request and certification. There must be no known written objection by the decedent or prioritized family. Families who authorize donation are not charged; recipients pay the costs. People who follow these rules have civil immunity. These rules start July 1, 2026.
Who pays for autopsies across counties
If a resident dies in one county from an incident in another, the coroners must talk within 24 hours. If both agree an autopsy is needed, the county where the incident happened pays. If they disagree, the autopsy county pays unless criminal charges are possible. If the incident county’s coroner does not respond in 24 hours, the death county can proceed and the incident county must pay. The performing coroner must bill within 180 days. Private requesters (not the prosecutor or coroner) must pay for autopsies they ask for. These rules start July 1, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Karen Engleman
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Blake Doriot
Republican • Senate
Dan Dernulc
Republican • Senate
David Abbott
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/26/2026
Roll Call 386 on HB1031.03.COMS.CON01
Yes: 83 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Roll Call 227 on HB1031.03.COMS
Yes: 48 • No: 0
House vote • 1/13/2026
Roll Call 43 on HB1031.02.COMH
Yes: 92 • No: 0 • Other: 2
Actions Timeline
Public Law 75
3/4/2026HouseSigned by the Governor
3/4/2026HouseSigned by the President Pro Tempore
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the President of the Senate
2/27/2026SenateHouse concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 386: yeas 83, nays 0
2/26/2026HouseSigned by the Speaker
2/26/2026HouseMotion to concur filed
2/25/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 227: yeas 48, nays 0
2/24/2026SenateReturned to the House with amendments
2/24/2026SenateSecond reading: ordered engrossed
2/19/2026SenateSenator Dernulc added as second sponsor
2/19/2026SenateCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/12/2026SenateFirst reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law
1/27/2026SenateReferred to the Senate
1/14/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 43: yeas 92, nays 0
1/13/2026HouseSenate sponsor: Senator Doriot
1/13/2026HouseSecond reading: ordered engrossed
1/12/2026HouseCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
1/6/2026HouseRepresentative Abbott added as coauthor
1/5/2026HouseAuthored by Representative Engleman
12/1/2025HouseFirst reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
12/1/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled House Bill (H)
House Bill (H)
House Bill (S)
Introduced House Bill (H)