Vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends county coroner notification requirements of contagious disease deaths, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the circumstances of a death be reported to a coroner by persons having actual knowledge of an individual’s death (Sec 1).

• Authorizes a coroner to investigate the facts and circumstances concerning a death to determine whether or not to conduct an autopsy or inquest due to a contagious disease, including any disease constituting a health disaster emergency or pandemic (Sec 1). 

• Authorizes the Department of Health to provide electronic access to appropriate databases for the coroner to account for deaths known or suspected to be due to a contagious disease constituting a public health emergency or pandemic (Sec 1).

• Prohibits the Department of Health from charging a fee for electronic data access or from requiring the coroner to obtain a subpoena (Sec 1).

• Requires the corner to follow all applicable laws, regulations, and confidentiality standards for the data obtained (Sec 1).

Full Bill Text