HF 1727

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 02/27/2025 03:16pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; modifying requirements relating to the provision of cause of
death information; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.221, by adding
a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.221, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Investigated natural deaths. new text end

new text begin (a) If a medical examiner or coroner investigates
a death and declines jurisdiction based on the medical examiner's or coroner's determination
that the death was due to natural causes, cause of death information for the death must be
provided by:
new text end

new text begin (1) a physician present at the time of death;
new text end

new text begin (2) a physician or associate of a physician who provided medical treatment for the
deceased before death; or
new text end

new text begin (3) a physician who has direct knowledge of the circumstances and cause of death and
has access to the medical record of the deceased.
new text end

new text begin (b) If there is no physician meeting the description in paragraph (a), clause (1) or (3), a
physician or associate of a physician meeting the description in paragraph (a), clause (2),
has 72 hours to complete the requirements in paragraph (a) after the individual receives
notification that:
new text end

new text begin (1) the medical examiner or coroner declined jurisdiction; and
new text end

new text begin (2) no physician meeting the description in paragraph (a), clause (1) or (3), exists.
new text end

new text begin (c) A medical examiner or coroner that has declined jurisdiction may provide cause of
death information if:
new text end

new text begin (1) the time period for the information to be provided by a physician or associate of a
physician set forth in paragraph (b) has elapsed; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the medical examiner or coroner has received a statement that the physician or
associate of a physician refuses to provide the cause of death information.
new text end

new text begin (d) If a medical examiner or coroner that has declined jurisdiction provides cause of
death information pursuant to paragraph (c), the medical examiner or coroner may recover
all costs incurred in providing the information from the refusing physician or associate of
a physician or from the facility or organization that employs the refusing physician or
associate of a physician at the time of refusal.
new text end