Existing law requires that each death be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found. Existing law establishes the required contents of the death certificate, including, but not limited to, the decedent's name, sex, race, and other relevant identifying and medical information. Existing law requires that the medical and health section data and the time of death be completed and attested to by the physician and surgeon last in attendance or, in the case of a patient in a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility, by the physician and surgeon last in attendance or by a licensed physician assistant meeting certain qualifications. Existing law also requires the individuals responsible for completing a death certificate to specify certain information on the certificate, including the time they last saw the deceased person alive. Existing law requires a physician and surgeon, physician assistant, or other specified individuals to immediately notify the coroner when they have knowledge of a death occurring under specified circumstances, including where suicide is suspected. Certain violations of these requirements are a crime.
This bill would authorize the medical and health section data and the time of death on a death certificate to be completed and attested to by a licensed nurse practitioner in the case where a patient is in a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility. The bill would make additional conforming changes. The bill would also include a licensed nurse practitioner to the group of individuals required to notify the coroner when they have knowledge of a death under certain specified circumstances. Because this bill would expand the application of an existing crime to licensed nurse practitioners, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Statutes affected:
AB 583: 102795 HSC, 102800 HSC, 102825 HSC, 102850 HSC, 102875 HSC
02/12/25 - Introduced: 102795 HSC, 102800 HSC, 102825 HSC, 102850 HSC, 102875 HSC