House Passes Bill On Coroner Position

A bill that would allow Spokane County to replace its elected coroner with an appointed medical examiner passed the House Wednesday night with no opposition.

The bill, adopted 97-0, now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.

Spokane County Coroner Dexter Amend would still be allowed to serve out his term under the bill. And Spokane County voters would have to approve the change at the polls for it to go into effect.

Amend is under fire for the way he conducts death investigations.

Several people have said Amend was offensive and asked grieving family members about the sexual habits of the deceased.

An effort is under way to recall the coroner.

“The voters may get him one way or another,” said Rep. Duane Sommers, R-Spokane.

The bill, HB2398, is written to affect only Spokane County.

, DataTimes