This bill modifies existing laws regarding the cremation of deceased individuals and the medical certification of death records. Specifically, it amends RSA 325-A:18, I to remove the requirement that a medical examiner must have "viewed the body" and made a personal inquiry into the cause and manner of death before issuing a certificate for cremation. Instead, the bill allows for the medical examiner to conduct an inquiry without the necessity of viewing the body, streamlining the process for cremation. Additionally, it clarifies that if a body is being transferred out of state for cremation, the medical examiner must still conduct an inquiry and issue a certificate prior to the transfer.

Furthermore, the bill updates RSA 5-C:71, I to eliminate the requirement for presenting a burial permit "with the body" to a medical examiner when obtaining a medical examiner's certificate for cremation. It also revises RSA 5-C:64, VI to remove the stipulation that the individual determining the cause of death must have viewed the deceased within 24 hours after death, thereby allowing for more flexibility in the certification process. The changes aim to facilitate the procedures surrounding death certification and cremation while maintaining necessary oversight by medical examiners. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 325-A:18, 5-C:71, 5-C:64
Version adopted by both bodies: 325-A:18, 5-C:71, 5-C:64
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 325-A:18, 5-C:71, 5-C:64