Electronic death registration system.

Healthcare Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Patterson
Last action: 2026-05-14
Official status: In committee: Held under submission.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on implementation timelines or costs.

Electronic Death Registration System

This law updates California's death registration system by requiring the use of modern technology and expanding access for certain individuals.

What This Bill Does

Requires the State Registrar to upgrade the electronic death registration system with updated technology, including mobile applications.
Allows specified individuals such as physicians, medical examiners, and local registrars to access the system.
Authorizes these individuals to attest to a death using methods like email or phone calls.

Who It Names or Affects

The State Registrar
Physicians
Medical examiners
Local registrars

Terms To Know

State Registrar: A person in charge of managing birth and death records for the state.
Electronic Death Registration System: An online system used to record deaths and keep track of information about them.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify when the updates will be completed.
It is unclear how much it will cost to update the system.

Bill History

2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-27 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 21).
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

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

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF