Strengthening the Medical Examiner and Coroner System Act of 2026

This bill would create a federal grant program, run through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to address shortages of forensic pathologists, death investigators, and forensic toxicologists. Grants would go to accredited forensic pathology fellowship programs and to publicly funded medical examiner or coroner offices and toxicology labs. Funds would pay fellowship salaries and benefits, training and certification costs for death investigators, and training for toxicologists. Payments individuals receive from the grants would not be taxable. The bill authorizes $13 million per year for fiscal years 2028 through 2032, with at least 40 forensic pathology fellowships funded each year.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Michael Guest Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors