The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to modify the requirements for providing cause of death information in cases of investigated natural deaths. It introduces a new subdivision under section 144.221, which outlines that if a medical examiner or coroner declines jurisdiction over a death determined to be due to natural causes, the responsibility for providing cause of death information falls to specific physicians. These include a physician present at the time of death, a physician who treated the deceased prior to death, or a physician with direct knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the death. If no eligible physician is available, a physician or associate has 72 hours to fulfill this requirement after being notified of the situation. Additionally, if the medical examiner or coroner provides cause of death information after the specified time or due to a refusal from the physician, they may recover costs from the refusing party.

Furthermore, the bill adds a new subdivision to section 144.227, allowing the commissioner to impose administrative penalties of $1,000 per day on physicians or their associates who intentionally fail to comply with the new requirements set forth in section 144.221, subdivision 2a. This penalty applies specifically in cases where a medical examiner or coroner has not provided the necessary cause of death information after declining jurisdiction. The bill aims to ensure timely and accurate reporting of cause of death information while holding medical professionals accountable for their responsibilities in these situations.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 144.221, 144.227