Bill Text: VA HB1086 | 2016 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Certificates of death; electronic registration.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-16 - Left in Health, Welfare and Institutions [HB1086 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2016-HB1086-Prefiled.html
16103630D Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That §32.1-263 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: §32.1-263. Filing death certificates; medical certification; investigation by Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. A. A death certificate, including, if known, the social security
number or control number issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to
§46.2-342 of the deceased, shall be filed
electronically, using the
electronic death registration system established by the Department,
for each death
B. The licensed funeral director, funeral service licensee,
office of the state anatomical program, or next of kin as defined in §
54.1-2800 who first assumes custody of a dead body shall electronically
file the certificate of death with C. The medical certification shall be completed In the absence of such physician or with his approval, the
certificate may be completed and signed electronically by
the following: (i) another physician employed or engaged by the same
professional practice; (ii) a physician assistant supervised by such physician;
(iii) a nurse practitioner practicing as part of a patient care team as defined
in §54.1-2900; (iv) the chief medical officer or medical director, or his
designee, of the institution, hospice, or nursing home in which death occurred;
(v) a physician specializing in the delivery of health care to hospitalized or
emergency department patients who is employed by or engaged by the facility
where the death occurred; (vi) the physician who performed an autopsy upon the
decedent; or (vii) an individual to whom the physician has delegated authority
to complete and sign the certificate D. When inquiry or investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is required by §32.1-283 or 32.1-285.1, the Chief Medical Examiner shall cause an investigation of the cause of death to be made and the medical certification portion of the death certificate to be completed and signed electronically within 24 hours after being notified of the death. If the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner refuses jurisdiction, the physician last furnishing medical care to the deceased shall prepare and sign the medical certification portion of the death certificate. E. If the death is a natural death and a death certificate is being prepared pursuant to §54.1-2972 and the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant is uncertain about the cause of death, he shall use his best medical judgment to certify a reasonable cause of death or contact the health district physician director in the district where the death occurred to obtain guidance in reaching a determination as to a cause of death and document the same. If the cause of death cannot be determined within 24 hours after death, the medical certification shall be completed electronically as provided by regulations of the Board. The attending physician or the Chief Medical Examiner, an Assistant Chief Medical Examiner, or a medical examiner appointed pursuant to §32.1-282 shall give the funeral director or person acting as such notice of the reason for the delay, and final disposition of the body shall not be made until authorized by the attending physician, the Chief Medical Examiner, an Assistant Chief Medical Examiner, or a medical examiner appointed pursuant to §32.1-282. F. A physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant
who, in good faith, signs a certificate of death or determines the cause of
death shall be immune from civil liability |