This bill amends the procedures surrounding the cremation of human remains and the medical certification of death records in New Hampshire. Key changes include the removal of the requirement for a medical examiner to have viewed the deceased within 24 hours of death, as indicated by the deletion of the phrase "viewed the deceased within 24 hours after death." Instead, the bill allows for a medical inquiry to be conducted without the physical viewing of the body, streamlining the process for issuing medical examiner certificates. Additionally, it specifies that cremation cannot occur until the crematory authority has received the necessary burial permit and medical examiner's certificate, ensuring that proper documentation is in place before proceeding with cremation.

The bill is expected to have a positive fiscal impact, potentially reducing General Fund expenditures by an estimated $100,000 to $500,000 annually. This reduction is attributed to decreased travel reimbursements for medical examiners, as the new provisions eliminate the need for them to perform body views when there is sufficient medical evidence to support a cremation. Overall, the legislation aims to simplify the cremation process while maintaining necessary oversight and documentation requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 325-A:18, 5-C:71, 5-C:64