A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning authorizing certain individuals to complete
Page 1, Line 102actions related to death certificates.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
In current law, a "qualified individual" is authorized to determine the cause of death of an individual and complete the medical certification for a certificate of death. The bill defines the term "qualified individual" to include a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or the chief medical officer of the institution in which the death occurred.
The bill requires that qualified individuals register to use the electronic death registration system used by the department of public health and environment and the state registrar prior to signing a death certificate.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-2-110, amend (4.5); and add (12) as follows:
Page 2, Line 325-2-110. Certificates of death - definitions. (4.5) (a) The
Page 2, Line 4department of public health and environment shall ensure that all
Page 2, Line 5physicians are registered to use the electronic death registration system
Page 2, Line 6created and used pursuant to subsection (1)(b)(I) of this section on or
Page 2, Line 7before March 1, 2024. A physician shall use the system for all medical
Page 2, Line 8certifications for certificates of death required by subsection (4) of this
Page 2, Line 9section immediately upon being registered but is not required to do so before being registered.
Page 2, Line 10(b) A qualified individual shall register to use the
Page 2, Line 11electronic death registration system prior to signing a death certificate.
Page 2, Line 12(12) As used in this section, "qualified individual" means a
Page 2, Line 13physician; a physician assistant licensed pursuant to article 240
Page 2, Line 14of title 12; an advanced practice registered nurse, as defined in
Page 2, Line 15section 12-255-104 (1); or the chief medical officer of the institution in which the death occurred.
Page 2, Line 16SECTION 2. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 2, Line 17takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 2, Line 18ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 2, Line 19that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 3, Line 1of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 3, Line 2act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 3, Line 3effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 3, Line 4November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.