Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to modify the procedures for determining and reporting the cause of death in situations where a medical examiner or coroner declines jurisdiction after determining a natural death.

Main Provisions

• Responsibilities of Physicians: When a death is investigated by a medical examiner or coroner and deemed natural, specific physicians are required to provide the cause of death information. Physicians who were present at the time of death, those who treated the deceased previously, or those with direct knowledge and access to medical records are deemed responsible.
• Timeframe: If there are no available physicians who meet the initial criteria, a physician or associate fitting alternative criteria must provide the information within 72 hours after being notified that the coroner declined jurisdiction.
• Role of Medical Examiners or Coroners: In cases where the time limit expires without a physician providing the necessary information, or where a physician refuses to provide it, the medical examiner or coroner can step in to provide the cause of death details.
• Cost Recovery: If the medical examiner or coroner provides cause of death information due to a physician's refusal, they can recover costs incurred from the refusing physician or their employing organization.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a specific delegation of responsibility to determine the cause of death following an investigation by a medical examiner or coroner.
• Introduces a cost recovery mechanism for situations where a medical examiner or coroner must provide cause of death information due to a physician's refusal.

Relevant Terms

• cause of death
• medical examiner
• coroner
• natural causes
• jurisdiction
• physician responsibility
• cost recovery