Bill > HB646

This bill updates Georgia's laws regarding coroners and deputy coroners by establishing new minimum salary provisions and employment benefits. Specifically, the bill creates a detailed salary schedule for coroners based on county population size, ranging from $17,700 for counties with 0-5,999 residents to $105,000 for counties with 500,000 or more residents. The bill also introduces new compensation guidelines for deputy coroners, including a mandatory fee of at least $250 per case worked and a $100 per diem for up to 90 days per calendar year. Additionally, the legislation provides that if a coroner's office conducts at least 100 death investigations and the coroner works at least 2,080 hours annually, the county must provide employment benefits equivalent to those of other county officials like the sheriff or tax commissioner. The bill updates the base population census from 1990 to 2020, allows for future cost-of-living increases tied to state employee raises, and includes a provision that existing coroners' salaries will not be reduced. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to standardize and improve compensation for coroners across different Georgia counties.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70845