Electronic death registration system.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify exact details about when the technology must be implemented or the costs involved in updating the system.

Electronic Death Registration System

This law updates California's death registration process by requiring new technology and allowing more people to use an electronic system.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the State Registrar to upgrade the current electronic death registration system using updated technology like mobile apps.
• Adds doctors, medical examiners, and local registrars as users of the electronic system.
• Allows these individuals to confirm deaths electronically or by phone.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who register deaths in California
• Doctors and medical examiners involved in death certification
• Local registrars responsible for recording deaths

Terms To Know

State Registrar

The person in charge of managing birth, death, and other vital records at the state level.

Electronic Death Registration System

A computer system used to record deaths electronically instead of on paper.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify when the new technology must be implemented.
• It is unclear how much it will cost to update the system.

Official Summary Text

AB 2382, as amended, Patterson.
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.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF