20250AB__238298AMD INTRODUCED 2026-02-20 AMENDED_ASSEMBLY 2026-04-23 2025 AB AMD Introduced by Assembly Member Patterson LEAD_AUTHOR ASSEMBLY Patterson

An act to amend Sections and of the Health and Safety Code, relating to death registration. death registration Electronic death registration system. Existing law requires that each death be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found. Existing law designates persons responsible for completing a certificate of death and the required contents of the certificate.

Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to implement an internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information. Existing law authorizes the State Registrar to incorporate computer or telephone facsimile technology, or both, in the statewide program of death registration. This bill would require the State Registrar to use updated technology, including computer and mobile telephone applications, to upgrade the system.

The bill would also require that specified individuals, including a physician, medical examiner, and local registrar, have the ability to access the electronic death registration system in addition to the individuals currently responsible for completing a certificate of death. The bill would also authorize specified individuals to attest to a death within the system using electronic, voice, or facsimile methods. The bill would require the department to update the system to allow this. MAJORITY NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 102778. (

a) On or before January 1, 2005, the department shall implement an internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information. (

b) The electronic death registration system implemented pursuant to this

section shall protect the proper use of the death registration information created, stored, and transferred within the system. (

c) The electronic death registration system that is implemented pursuant to this

section shall be subject to any limitation placed on the accessibility and release of personally identifying information contained in those death records by any other provision of law or subsequently enacted legislation. (

d) In addition to the individuals currently responsible for completing a certificate of death and the required contents under this article, the electronic death registration system shall be accessible by the individuals authorized to complete and attest to the medical and health

section data as specified in

Section 102795, medical examiners, and local registrars. The individuals authorized to complete and attest to the medical and health

section data as specified in

Section may attest to a death within the system using electronic, voice, or facsimile methods. (

e) In implementing this section, the department shall update the electronic death registration system to allow the individuals authorized to complete and attest to the medical and health

section data and time of death as specified in

Section to attest to death using electronic, voice, or facsimile methods. SEC. 2.

Section of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 102785. (

a) The State Registrar shall use updated technology, including computer and mobile telephone applications, to upgrade the statewide program of death and fetal death registration, including, but not limited to, the issuing of permits for disposition of human remains. (

b) This

section does not limit the ability of local districts to file certificates of death and fetal death manually within the local registration districts.