FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5739

                          C 133 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Preparing certificates of death or fetal death.

Sponsors:  Senators Thibaudeau and Deccio.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Health Care

Background:  Currently the Washington Administrative Code authorizes physician=s assistants to sign and attest to death certificates.  The Administrative Code also gives an advanced registered nurse practitioner-certified midwife the authority to certify death or fetal death.  These responsibilities, however, are not currently reflected in the Revised Code of Washington=s provisions regarding death certificates.

Summary:  A funeral director or person in charge of interment may present a certificate of death to a physician=s assistant or an advanced registered nurse practitioner to certify death or fetal death when he or she is the last person in attendance of the deceased.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 440

House980(House amended)

Senate (Amendment ruled beyond scope)

House980(House receded)

Effective:June 8, 2000