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Bill > HB1851
PA HB1851
PA HB1851In death and fetal death registration, further providing for information for certificates.
summary
Introduced
09/10/2025
09/10/2025
In Committee
09/10/2025
09/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending the act of June 29, 1953 (P.L.304, No.66), entitled "An act providing for the administration of a statewide system of vital statistics; prescribing the functions of the State Department of Health, the State Advisory Health Board and local registrars; imposing duties upon coroners, prothonotaries, clerks of orphans' court, physicians, midwives and other persons; requiring reports and certificates for the registration of vital statistics; regulating the disposition of dead bodies; limiting the disclosure of records; prescribing the sufficiency of vital statistics records as evidence; prescribing fees and penalties; and revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto," in death and fetal death registration, further providing for information for certificates.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Vital Statistics Law of 1953 to expand who can provide medical certification for death and fetal death certificates. Specifically, the bill adds certified nurse midwives to the list of medical professionals who can complete medical certifications for fetal deaths, alongside physicians, certified registered nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The bill also clarifies the process when a medical professional who would normally provide the certification is an immediate family member of the deceased. In such cases, the medical certification must be provided by another qualified professional. If no qualified alternate professional is available or willing to provide the certification, the case will be referred to the county coroner or a coroner from an adjacent county. The bill explicitly prohibits a coroner from signing a death or fetal death certificate for a deceased who was a member of the coroner's immediate family. The legislation will take effect 60 days after its passage, and it aims to provide more flexibility and clarity in the process of registering deaths and fetal deaths.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (16)
Gina Curry (D)*,
Lisa Borowski (D),
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D),
Missy Cerrato (D),
Roni Green (D),
Manny Guzman (D),
Carol Hill-Evans (D),
Joe Hohenstein (D),
La'Tasha Mayes (D),
Danielle Otten (D),
Chris Pielli (D),
Tarah Probst (D),
Nikki Rivera (D),
Ben Sanchez (D),
Melissa Shusterman (D),
Ben Waxman (D),
Last Action
Referred to Health (on 09/10/2025)
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