Bill > SF2088

This bill modifies the requirements for providing cause of death information in cases of investigated natural deaths in Minnesota. Specifically, when a medical examiner or coroner determines a death is due to natural causes and declines jurisdiction, the cause of death information must be provided by: (1) a physician present at the time of death, (2) a physician or their associate who previously treated the deceased, or (3) a physician with direct knowledge of the death's circumstances and access to the medical record. If no physician from the first or third categories exists, a physician who previously treated the deceased has 72 hours to complete the cause of death documentation after being notified that no other qualifying physician is available. If the treating physician does not provide the information within this timeframe, the medical examiner or coroner may then complete the cause of death documentation and can recover all associated costs from the refusing physician, their employer, or the medical facility. This bill aims to ensure a clear and efficient process for documenting cause of death when a medical examiner initially declines jurisdiction.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2088&ssn=0&y=2025