Michigan Medical Examiner Investigation Requirements
Summary
Michigan HB4078 was signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on March 18, 2026, amending the Michigan Public Health Code (1953 PA 181) to modify medical examiner investigation requirements for determining cause and manner of death. The bill affects MCL sections 52.202 and 52.203, has tie bar provisions with HB 4077'25, and passed with strong bipartisan support (106-2 House, 36-0 Senate).
What changed
Michigan HB4078 amends sections 2 and 3 of 1953 PA 181 (MCL 52.202 and 52.203) to modify requirements for medical examiner death investigations. The bill passed the Senate 36-0 and House 106-2 before receiving immediate effect upon the Governor's signature on March 18, 2026. County medical examiners and coroners should review the amended statutory sections and update their investigation procedures accordingly. The tie bar with HB 4077'25 indicates related legislation affecting the same regulatory framework.
What to do next
- Review amended MCL 52.202 and 52.203 sections to understand modified medical examiner investigation requirements
- Update internal death investigation procedures to align with revised statutory requirements
- Coordinate with county boards and medical examiner offices on implementation of the amended provisions
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Michigan / HB4078 Signed by Governor HB4078 House Bill Signed by Governor 2026-03-18
Health: medical examiners; requirements for an investigation of the cause and manner of death; modify. Amends secs. 2 & 3 of 1953 PA 181 (MCL 52.202 & 52.203). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4077'25
Bill Details
State Michigan
Session 103rd Legislature
Chamber House
Official Source legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2...
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Sponsors
Mike Mueller (Rep - R) Douglas Wozniak (Rep - R) Pat Outman (Rep - R) Kathy Schmaltz (Rep - R) Carrie Rheingans (Rep - D) Donavan McKinney (Rep - D) Erin Byrnes (Rep - D) Joey Andrews (Rep - D) Jason Hoskins (Rep - D) Morgan Foreman (Rep - D) Matt Longjohn (Rep - D) Mike McFall (Rep - D) Carol Glanville (Rep - D) Jennifer Conlin (Rep - D) Cynthia Neeley (Rep - D) Samantha Steckloff (Rep - D) Penelope Tsernoglou (Rep - D) Jason Morgan (Rep - D) Reggie Miller (Rep - D) Curtis VanderWall (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-03-18 H Assigned Pa 004'26 With Immediate Effect 2026-03-18 H Filed With Secretary Of State 03/17/2026 01:17 Pm 2026-03-18 H Approved By The Governor 03/17/2026 10:32 Am 2026-03-10 H Presented To The Governor 03/09/2026 01:02 Pm 2026-03-05 H Bill Ordered Enrolled 2026-03-05 H Returned From Senate Without Amendment With Immediate Effect 2026-03-04 S Returned To House 2026-03-04 S Passed; Given Immediate Effect Roll Call # 20 Yeas 36 Nays 0 Excused 1 Not Voting 0 2026-02-18 S Placed On Order Of Third Reading 2026-02-18 S Reported By Committee Of The Whole Favorably Without Amendment(s) 2025-11-13 S Referred To Committee Of The Whole 2025-11-13 S Reported Favorably Without Amendment 11/12/2025 2025-04-29 S Referred To Committee On Health Policy 2025-04-29 S Passed By House With Immediate Effect 2025-04-22 H Transmitted 2025-04-22 H Passed; Given Immediate Effect Roll Call #58 Yeas 106 Nays 2 Excused 0 Not Voting 2 2025-04-22 H Read A Third Time 2025-04-22 H Placed On Immediate Passage 2025-04-22 H Placed On Third Reading 2025-04-22 H Read A Second Time 2025-03-12 H Referred To Second Reading 2025-03-12 H Reported With Recommendation Without Amendment 2025-02-13 H Bill Electronically Reproduced 02/12/2025 2025-02-12 H Referred To Committee On Health Policy 2025-02-12 H Read A First Time 2025-02-12 H Introduced By Representative Rep. Mike Mueller
Votes
2025-03-12 Reported With Recommendation Without Amendment Yea: 16 Nay: 0 2025-04-22 House Third Reading: Given Immediate Effect Roll Call #58 Yea: 106 Nay: 2 2025-11-13 Reported Favorably Without Amendment 11/12/2025 Yea: 8 Nay: 0 2026-03-04 Senate Third Reading: Given Immediate Effect Roll Call # 20 Yea: 36 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2025-02-12 H Health Policy 2025-04-29 S Health Policy
Bill Text Versions
2025-02-12 Introduced 2025-04-22 Engrossed 2026-03-04 Engrossed 2026-03-09 Enrolled 2026-03-17 Chaptered
Subjects
Health: medical examiners Records: vital records Counties: boards and commissions Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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