Senate Bill No. 216, introduced by Senator Wheat, amends R.S. 9:111(B) to expand the criteria for medical pronouncements of death by a coroner. The bill allows coroners to base their pronouncements not only on personal observations and information from coroner investigators, registered nurses, physician assistants, and emergency medical technicians but also includes licensed practical nurses. This change acknowledges the role of licensed practical nurses in reporting firsthand observations of the deceased's physical condition.

The bill retains the existing provisions that require the time of death to be reported as the time it was discovered or reported, and mandates that the names of the personnel relied upon by the coroner be noted in the investigative report. The proposed changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB216 Original: 9:111(B)