Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3022, sub-§1, as repealed and replaced by PL 1987, c. 329, §2, is amended to read:

1. Appointment and qualifications of the Chief Medical Examiner. There is created, in the Department of the Attorney General, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner for the State. The Chief Medical Examiner shall be is appointed by the Governor for a term of 7 years and until his the Chief Medical Examiner's successor is appointed and qualified. The Chief Medical Examiner shall must possess a degree of doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy, be licensed to practice in the State and be expert in the specialty of forensic pathology. Expertise in the specialty of forensic pathology may be established either by certification in forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology or by successful completion of an examination to test expertise in forensic pathology designed for the State by acknowledged experts in the field selected by the Governor. Any vacancy in the Office of Chief Medical Examiner shall must be filled by appointment by the Governor for a full term of 7 years. The Chief Medical Examiner may hire, subject to the Civil Service Law, necessary office and laboratory personnel to carry out the proper functioning of his the Chief Medical Examiner's office.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §3023, as amended by PL 1985, c. 611, §5, is further amended to read:

§3023. Medical examiners; appointment; jurisdiction

The Chief Medical Examiner shall appoint medical examiners, who shall have statewide jurisdiction and shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Medical Examiner and, subject to his the Chief Medical Examiner's control and the regulations promulgated rules adopted by him the Chief Medical Examiner. The medical examiners shall must be learned in the science of medicine and anatomy, licensed as physicians in this State and bona fide residents of this State. Each medical examiner before entering upon the duties of his the office shall must be duly sworn to the faithful performance of his the medical examiner's duty.

The Chief Medical Examiner may in his discretion make temporary appointments when he deems the Chief Medical Examiner determines it is in the public interest. Temporary medical examiners shall serve on a case-by-case basis and must be licensed as physicians by the State, but do not need to be residents of the State nor or take an oath of office.