ENTITLED An Act to revise the payor of autopsy costs in certain circumstances.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That § 23-14-9.2 be AMENDED:

23-14-9.2. A physician or surgeon appointed under § 23-14-9.1, or the coroner if the coroner is a physician or surgeon providing services pursuant to § 23-14-9.1, shall receive a reasonable fee for services rendered, as approved by the board of county commissioners. The board shall pay the fee out of the general fund of the county.

The decedent's county of residence must reimburse the county in which the autopsy occurred for the cost of the autopsy if:

(1) The death occurred in a county other than the decedent's county of residence; and

(2) The county of residence requested the autopsy or is the site where the accident or injury leading to the death occurred.

If a perpetrator of a crime dies during the commission of the crime, or the perpetrator commits suicide subsequent to the commission of the crime, the county that paid for the autopsy may recover the cost of the autopsy and any other related expenses from the perpetrator's estate.

An Act to revise the payor of autopsy costs in certain circumstances.

I certify that the attached Act originated in the: Senate as Bill No. 72 Secretary of the Senate President of the Senate Attest: Secretary of the Senate Speaker of the House Attest: Chief Clerk Senate Bill No. 72 File No. ____ Chapter No. ______

Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________, 2025 at ____________M. By for the Governor The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________, A.D., 2025 Governor STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ss. Office of the Secretary of State Filed ____________, 2025 at _________ o'clock __M. Secretary of State By Asst. Secretary of State