Tag: Forensics

Senate Bill Aims To Bring More Forensic Pathologists To West Virginia

Facing a national shortage of doctors trained to perform autopsies, West Virginia lawmakers are considering a bill that would fund student loan repayments for forensic pathologists in the state.

Both nationally and in West Virginia, a shortage of forensic pathologists — doctors specially trained to perform autopsies — has slowed medical examinations of the deceased.

Now, lawmakers aim to incentivize more of the doctors to practice in West Virginia.

Senate Bill 572 would grant forensic pathologists student loan repayments from the West Virginia Department of Health. The repayments would occur over a period of ten years, provided that the doctors remain licensed within the state.

Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, sponsored the bill. He said that this would help forensic pathologists establish roots in West Virginia and encourage newcomers to pursue the field.

“Hopefully, it gets them here in plenty of time to grow roots and help us get these death certificates done in a timely fashion,” he said Tuesday in a meeting of the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee.

At the meeting, members of the committee voted in favor of the bill, but first referred it to the Senate Finance Committee for further discussion.

Addressing Diversion In W.Va.’s Criminal Justice System

On this episode of The Legislature Today, host Randy Yohe talks with forensic psychologist Dr. David Clayman and Senate Jails and Prison Committee Co-Chair Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, to talk about the diversion of certain persons from the criminal justice system.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, host Randy Yohe talks with forensic psychologist Dr. David Clayman and Senate Jails and Prison Committee Co-Chair Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, to talk about the diversion of certain persons from the criminal justice system.

Also, in the House, a bill to help those with dementia and their families heads to the Senate, and a bill on whether authorities should release mugshots has sparked some controversy.

And, we’re now more than a week into the session, and bills have started to move through their respective committees. The Education committees in both chambers are addressing financial issues in the state’s schools. Chris Schulz has the story.

Finally, it was Rural Health Care Day at the Capitol. Many health care providers and health advocacy organizations were at the capitol to discuss challenges and advocate for possible solutions in rural health care. Briana Heaney has more.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

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