SB 1379: County of Riverside: separation of county offices: in-custody reports.

Existing law generally regulates the government of counties. Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county to consolidate the duties of various county offices in various combinations, including combining the duties of the sheriff and the coroner. Existing law also authorizes the board of supervisors of a county to separate the duties of consolidated offices.

This bill would require the board of supervisors for the County of Riverside to separate the offices of sheriff and coroner by July 1, 2027. The bill would require the countys board of supervisors to take certain actions with respect to medicolegal death investigation services. The bill would prohibit a person other than the countys coroner or a medical examiner from signing specified documents. The bill would require the county to publish specified information regarding in-custody persons on its internet website.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. By requiring the county to provide a higher level of service, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.