Bill > SB0668

This bill amends Tennessee law to modify the requirements for how deaths are determined and certified, particularly in healthcare settings like nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted-care living facilities. Specifically, the bill removes previous limitations that required a death to be anticipated for a registered nurse to determine and pronounce death. The bill updates multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-3-511, requiring that an attending physician must agree in writing to sign the death certificate and that this written agreement must be present with the deceased at the place of death. Additionally, the bill adds a new provision clarifying that these changes do not restrict county medical examiners from investigating deaths when required by law, such as under the Post-Mortem Examination Act. The medical examiner retains the authority to certify, complete, and sign death certificates as needed. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law, with the stated purpose of serving the public welfare.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0668&ga=114