New proposed training rule would impact all Mo. coroners; Rep. Voss worries about timing

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – There’s a new effort in Missouri to bring more training to every coroner in the state.

But the handling and timing of that effort is raising concerns.

Cape Girardeau Representative John Voss reached out to me Monday to tell me about the proposed rule laid out by the state’s Coroner Standards and Training Commission.

He just found out about it last week–the public now has less than 48 hours to weigh in on it–and Voss worries it could actually keep duly elected coroners from doing their jobs.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction.”

19 CSR 20-80.010 establishes training standards for county coroners–something Voss wanted to do when he filed legislation last spring.

The Chairman of the Commission tells me–the 19 guidelines listed in the rule are loosely based on national standards for death investigations–highlighting knowledge of autopsies, evidence collection and scene investigation.

But, Voss tells me–the timing of this rule has him worried.

“It looks like it might place some coroners who may have been newly elected in a position where they’re not able to take office in January,” Voss says.

And here’s why.

Under Missouri Statute, all coroners must complete 20 hours of training each year. That training, Voss points out, is offered by the Coroner and Medical Examiner’s Association twice a year–in April and October. If this new rule takes effect, Voss says it’ll likely happen in early December.

“Right before people are supposed to take office in January,” Voss points out. “My specific concern is, you know, when people filed for the office of coroner in February and March, these rules didn’t exist. They may be going through a primary election here in a few days, and then a general election in November. With the rule becoming effective in December, which then says they’re not qualified to hold the office that they were just elected to.”

“So then what happens?” I asked.

“I’m not sure based on part of the statute that I was able to read. It looks like they may not be able to assume the office they were wanted to and that would revert back to the office of the sheriff like we have in Cape Girardeau County. And then their office would be responsible for conducting any death investigations and to certify any death certificates in the electronic records system the state of Missouri uses.”

Are you surprised that you didn’t know this?  I asked Voss of the rule and public comment period, set to expire Wednesday.

“Disappointed it might be a good word to use. I was hoping that I would be informed when they finally came to a conclusion that they were going to release the proposed rule.”

Now that he has it, Voss says he’s reached out to the Cape County families who shared their concerns about the conduct of Cape Girardeau County Coroner Wavis Jordan and who testified on behalf of Voss’ coroner qualifications and training bill earlier this year. He says he wants to make sure they can make their voices heard.

He plans on submitting his own public comments as well.

“I’m a little concerned anytime we have unelected bureaucrats making rules that sound like they’re a law. I would sure like for this to be a lot more transparent process and to invite the public to comment on these things so it’s much more known and visible what’s happening, especially given the elevation of what we’re experiencing here in Cape Girardeau County.”

I reached out to Missouri Coroner Standards and Training Commission Chairman Michael Taylor.

Taylor says, “prior to the Coroners Training and Standards Commission being established, there were no established training standards for coroners in the state of Missouri. Chapter 58 RSMO only required that coroners attend 20 hours of training annually, however, it was up to MCMEA what was taught at those training classes/conferences. The purpose of the proposed rule is to provide basic uniform training to all coroners working in Missouri and raise the bar for coroner education in the state.”

When I asked Taylor about the timing of the rule impacting incoming coroners and those who have not had this kind of training, Taylor said he’s aware there could be an issue, but it was not their intent to create a situation where coroners would not be able to take office.

I also asked Taylor if the Commission could delay the implementation of the rule if it’s adopted. 

He responded, “It is my understanding that this may be an option for the Commission to consider. The Commission has not, at this point, had any discussions on this topic, however, this may be discussed at Friday’s meeting.”

The Missouri Coroner Standards and Training Commission is set to meet on August 2. Taylor says they may know more about timing after that meeting. Representative Voss says he will attend. 

Voss also reached out to the Cape County families who shared their concerns about the conduct of Cape Girardeau County Coroner Wavis Jordan and who testified on behalf of Voss’ coroner qualifications and training bill earlier this year.

The public comment period for the proposed coroner training standard rule ends this Wednesday, July 31 at 5 p.m. Public comments can be sent to  dylan.bryant@health.mo.gov.

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