IndianaHB 1031Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)HouseWALLET

County coroners.

Sponsored By: Karen Engleman (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Makes changes to the blood or tissue retention protocols at a hospital for purposes of conducting a death investigation. Makes changes to the training course requirements for coroners and deputy coroners. Makes changes to provisions governing the conduct of a death investigation.Provides that a coroner or deputy coroner who conducts a death investigation or signs a death certificate without completing certain training commits a Class B misdemeanor. Provides that, if a coroner or deputy coroner fails to complete the required training course within the time required, the county shall reimburse the coroners training board for the cost of the training. Provides that the county may recover from an individual the amount the county reimbursed the coroners training board. Makes technical corrections.

local governmentthe senatecorrections and criminal law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Coroners and police must coordinate investigations

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana police and coroners must coordinate death investigations and share information. Police secure and process the scene, collect evidence, interview witnesses, identify suspects, and prepare the criminal case. Coroners keep exclusive custody of the body and property on it that police have not secured as evidence. They coordinate the body's examination and removal with police. After reviewing the evidence, coroners must determine the cause, manner, and mechanism of death and prepare and sign their verdict.

Hospitals must preserve injury blood samples

Effective retroactively to January 1, 2026, hospitals must provide blood or tissue samples requested by coroners investigating deaths, without a warrant. Hospitals must also preserve the first emergency-care blood sample for inpatients with suspicious, violent, accidental, or overdose injuries deemed critical or fatal. After receiving an analysis order and required notice, labs hold samples until 21 days after drawing, discharge, or death—whichever comes first. Transfers do not count as discharge; the sending lab keeps the sample within that limit unless told of discharge or death. Waivers apply when drawing or keeping samples conflicts with clinical needs, samples are adulterated, or retention after testing is medically impossible.

Untrained coroners face penalties and repayment

Beginning July 1, 2026, coroners and deputies without required training cannot investigate deaths or sign death certificates. Knowingly or intentionally breaking this rule is a Class B misdemeanor. Officials must show training completion to the county executive or city-county council; otherwise, paychecks are withheld until requirements are met. Withholding is excused when unusual circumstances or clear progress make it unjust, and withheld pay is released after completion proof arrives. Counties must repay the training board when officials start but fail to finish training on time, and may recover that cost from them.

Coroners must complete training and certification

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana's coroners training board must offer certification training with at least 40 hours of instruction. Coroners and deputies must pass the program, including in-person classes and supervised field work, to earn a certificate. New coroners must finish within six months of taking office; new deputies have one year after starting work. Each year afterward, both must complete at least eight hours on death investigations, crime scenes, and evidence preservation. The board consults the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy; medical lessons need approval from a board-certified pathologist, and evidence lessons from a law enforcement officer.

Coroner witnesses lose fees and jailing

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law removes special witness rules for coroner investigations. The repealed rules allowed sworn questioning and required written, signed testimony and formal promises to testify in court. They also allowed witnesses who refused to comply to be jailed. Witnesses lose their right under these provisions to the same fees paid to circuit court witnesses.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Karen Engleman

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Blake Doriot

    Republican • Senate

  • Dan Dernulc

    Republican • Senate

  • David Abbott

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2026

House concurred with Senate amendments

Yes: 83 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 1/13/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 75

    3/4/2026House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    3/4/2026House
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/27/2026Senate
  5. House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 386: yeas 83, nays 0

    2/26/2026House
  6. Signed by the Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  7. Motion to concur filed

    2/25/2026House
  8. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 227: yeas 48, nays 0

    2/24/2026Senate
  9. Returned to the House with amendments

    2/24/2026Senate
  10. Senator Dernulc added as second sponsor

    2/19/2026Senate
  11. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    2/19/2026Senate
  12. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/12/2026Senate
  13. First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law

    1/27/2026Senate
  14. Referred to the Senate

    1/14/2026House
  15. Senate sponsor: Senator Doriot

    1/13/2026House
  16. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 43: yeas 92, nays 0

    1/13/2026House
  17. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    1/12/2026House
  18. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    1/6/2026House
  19. Representative Abbott added as coauthor

    1/5/2026House
  20. First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government

    12/1/2025House
  21. Authored by Representative Engleman

    12/1/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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