HB 5383

relating to the requirements for appointment as a medical examiner
or employment as a deputy medical examiner.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Sections 2(a) and (b), Article 49.25, Code of
Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
(a)  The commissioners court shall appoint the medical
examiner, who serves at the pleasure of the commissioners court.  A
person appointed as the medical examiner must:
(1)  hold a certification in anatomic pathology and
forensic pathology issued by the American Board of Pathology; and
(A) [(1)]  a physician licensed by the Texas
(i) [(A)]  is licensed and in good standing
as a physician in another state;
(ii) [(B)] has applied to the Texas Medical
Board for a license to practice medicine in this state; and
(iii) [(C)] has been granted a provisional
license under Section 155.101, Occupations Code.
(b)  The [To the greatest extent possible, the] medical
examiner shall be appointed from persons having training and
experience in anatomic and forensic pathology, toxicology,
histology and other medico-legal sciences.
SECTION 2.  Section 3, Article 49.25, Code of Criminal
Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 3.  ASSISTANTS.  The medical examiner may, subject to
the approval of the commissioners court, employ such deputy medical
examiners, scientific experts, trained technicians, officers and
employees as may be necessary to the proper performance of the
duties imposed by this Article upon the medical examiner.  A deputy
medical examiner employed under this section must hold or be
eligible to hold a certification issued by the American Board of
Pathology in anatomic pathology and forensic pathology.
SECTION 3.  A person is not required to comply with Article
49.25, Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended by this Act, until
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.