Trio of bills aim to strengthen Texas death investigations

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Three Republican-authored bills under consideration at the Capitol could have a wide-ranging impact on Texas’ death investigation systems.

Rep. Tom Oliverson, a medical doctor and anesthesiologist from Cypress, authored two measures: one to require medical examiner review before bodies are cremated, and another that would mandate medical examiners to be board certified.

Legislation by Sen. Tan Parker, of Flower Mound, would expand the number of counties eligible to create medical examiner offices for death investigations.

Dr. Stephen Pustilnik, chief medical examiner of Fort Bend County, backs all the bills and spoke at several hearings on the measures. He said each piece of legislation is a stepping stone toward improved death investigations across the state.