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2016 SESSION

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SB 596 Death certificates; extends time for filing medical certification of death.

Introduced by: Kenneth Alexander (Resigned) | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Death certificates; medical certification of death. Extends the time for filing a death certificate from three days to five business days from the date of the death. The bill also extends the time for completing the medical certification of death from 24 hours to three business days from the date of the death and provides that the medical certification of death be provided by the physician who last furnished medical care to the deceased rather than the physician in charge of the patient's care for the illness or condition which resulted in death. Alternative signers of the medical certification of death as provided in current law are not changed. The bill (i) requires that in cases in which a physician knowingly and willfully fails or refuses to complete the medical certification of death within 10 business days of the death, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner must provide the medical certification of death and report such instance to the Board of Medicine and (ii) requires such physician to reimburse the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for its services. In addition, the bill provides that failure or refusal to complete a medical certification of death in a timely manner may constitute unprofessional conduct for which the Board of Medicine may discipline a physician.


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