N.Y. County Law § 679: Training requirements for coroners and coroner's deputies

* § 679. Training requirements for coroners and coroner's deputies.

Each coroner and coroner's deputy, whether elected or appointed pursuant

to section four hundred of this chapter, shall attend and successfully

complete state-approved courses in medical-legal investigation. The cost

of such courses shall be the responsibility of the coroner or coroner's

deputy, provided however that the county may, at its discretion,

reimburse the coroner or coroner's deputy for all or a portion of the

cost of such courses. Such courses shall be prescribed, certified and

accredited pursuant to rules promulgated by the department of health, in

consultation with the department of state, the division of criminal

justice services, the superintendent of state police, the commissioner

of education, and the chair of the commission on forensic science. The

department of health may also consult with qualified professional

groups. Such rules shall also establish the frequency and duration for

successful completion of any such courses by a coroner or coroner's

deputy and may prescribe heightened levels of training for any newly

elected or appointed coroner or coroner's deputy.

* NB Effective until December 19, 2026

* § 679. Training requirements for coroners and coroner's deputies. 1.

Each coroner and coroner's deputy, whether elected or appointed pursuant

to section four hundred of this chapter, shall attend and successfully

complete initial state-approved courses in medical-legal investigation.

The cost of such courses shall be the responsibility of the coroner or

coroner's deputy, provided however that the county may, at its

discretion, reimburse the coroner or coroner's deputy for all or a

portion of the cost of such courses. Such courses shall be prescribed,

certified and accredited pursuant to rules promulgated by the department

of health, in consultation with the department of state, the division of

criminal justice services, the superintendent of state police, the

commissioner of education, and the chair of the commission on forensic

science. The department of health may also consult with qualified

professional groups. Such rules shall also establish the frequency and

duration for successful completion of any such courses by the coroner or

coroner's deputy and may prescribe heightened levels of training for any

newly elected or appointed coroner or coroner's deputy.

2. (a) In addition to the training requirements of subdivision one of

this section, each coroner and coroner's deputy, whether elected or

appointed pursuant to section four hundred of this chapter, shall attend

and successfully complete a minimum of thirty credit hours in

state-approved continuing medical legal investigation courses every

three years. The cost of such courses shall be the responsibility of the

coroner or coroner's deputy, provided however that the county may, at

its discretion, reimburse the coroner or coroner's deputy for all or a

portion of the cost of such courses. Such courses shall be prescribed,

certified and accredited pursuant to rules promulgated by the department

of health, in consultation with the department of state, the division of

criminal justice services, the superintendent of state police, the

commissioner of education, and the chair of the commission on forensic

science. The department of health may also consult with qualified

professional groups.

(b) Each coroner or coroner's deputy shall be exempt from the

mandatory continuing education requirement for one year following the

successful completion of the state-approved courses in medical-legal

investigation required by subdivision one of this section.

(c)(i) Each coroner or coroner's deputy shall:

(A) on a form and date prescribed by the county, register triennially

and attest to their respective county, and the department upon request,

that they have successfully completed a minimum of thirty credit hours

of continuing medical-legal investigation courses; and

(B) maintain records of compliance with such continuing education

requirements for seven years and shall provide such documentation of

compliance upon request by their respective county or the department of

health.

(ii) Coroner and coroner's deputy attestations shall be filed in the

office of the county clerk.

(d) A coroner or coroner's deputy who does not satisfy the mandatory

continuing education requirements shall be barred from practice until

they have met such requirements; provided, however, that their

respective county may temporarily waive such requirements for extended

active duty with the armed forces of the United States or state, or for

no longer than one year for other good cause, acceptable to the

respective county, which may prevent compliance.

* NB Effective December 19, 2026