11G-1.002. Associate Medical Examiners, Ethics

(1) An appointment of an associate medical examiner expires with the expiration of the appointment of the district medical examiner who appointed him or her.

(2) The district medical examiner shall file with the Medical Examiners Commission written notice of the appointment, resignation, or removal of each associate medical examiner.

(3) The district medical examiner shall supervise the work and work product of associate medical examiners to ensure consistency and quality.

(4) The medical examiners, their agents, servants and employees shall not be the agents, servants or employees of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or the Medical Examiners Commission and shall not be entitled to any benefits granted employees of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

(a) The Florida Department of Law Enforcement shall not be deemed to assume any liability for the acts, omissions to act or negligence of the medical examiners, their agents, servants and employees.

(b) Medical examiners are subject to the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees, chapter 112, part III, F.S. Medical examiners shall become familiar with the Code of Ethics and ensure that they are in compliance with the requirements stated therein.

(c) Medical examiners or their business entities are permitted to provide services if the terms and conditions of section 112.313(12), F.S., (exemptions) are met.

(d) A medical examiner shall not:

1. Obtain any rental space or equipment from a business or professional association in which the medical examiner or the spouse or children of the medical examiner have a business interest unless the county he or she serves determines that any one of the exemptions cited in section 112.313(12), F.S., applies.

2. Utilize a business or professional association in which the medical examiner or the spouse or children of the medical examiner have a business interest for any services, including but not limited to secretarial, laboratory, courier, and investigative, unless the county the medical examiner serves determines that any one of the exemptions cited in section 112.313(12), F.S., applies.

3. Participate in any way with the county in the determination of the bid specifications or the determination of the lowest or best bidder for the services, rental space or equipment if his or her business or professional association is to submit a bid proposal to provide these services, rental space or equipment.

4. Allow an organ or tissue procurement agency to provide employees or the salaries for any members of the medical examiner’s office.

Rulemaking Authority 406.04 FS. Law Implemented 112.313, 406.02, 406.06, 406.17 FS. History–New 10-18-81, Formerly 11G-1.02, Amended 4-11-88, 12-26-88, 8-28-91, 2-23-93, 8-22-00, 7-29-01, 5-21-12.