FRANKFORT, Ky. – House Bill 34, sponsored by Rep. Marie Rader, R-McKee (89th District) was signed into law Friday by Governor Beshear. Rep. Rader attended the official signing, which was held at the Governor’s office. House Bill 34 will allow county coroners, with permission from their local government, to place lights and sirens on their vehicles.

“Like police and EMS workers, response time is essential for coroners to assist with criminal investigations or highway fatalities,” said Rep. Rader. “Allowing our coroners to place lights and sirens on their vehicles will allow for quicker response to a crime scene, and also allow greater assistance for law enforcement in their work to gather information during a death investigation.”

Rep. Rader’s brother, Melvin Lakes, is the county coroner for Jackson County and was instrumental along with other coroners to bring House Bill 34 to fruition. Local coroners will concerned not only about response time to a crime scene, but also due to safety concerns since in most cases coroners are forced to park their vehicles on the shoulder of the highway, or the delay in getting through traffic to a death investigation scene.

“Placement of lights and sirens on coroner vehicles will alert other drivers to be alert for those working along a roadway as part of a fatality investigation,” Rep. Rader added. “Safety for everyone involved, including coroners and other drivers, is an essential part of House Bill 34.”

House Bill 34 will officially take effect on June 8, 2011.