Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
HB 2458
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Requiring the department of health to adopt rules establishing an abbreviated death certificate.
Sponsors: Representatives Hayes and Goodman.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/17/18
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
The Department of Health (Department) operates a state vital records system for registering births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages, divorce decrees, annulments, and separations. The vital records system must collect items recommended for collection by the federal government. Death certificates must include identifying information about the deceased person, the time and place of death, the circumstances and cause of death, and information about the person certifying the death. The Department and local registrars may issue certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Washington.
Summary of Bill:
The Department of Health must establish an abbreviated death certificate that includes identifying information about the decedent and information about the fact of the person's death, but excludes information related to the cause of death, the social security number, and the names of the decedent's parents. Government agencies that require the filing of a death certificate must recognize the filing of the abbreviated death certificate if the cause of a person's death is not material to the filing.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 9, 2018.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.