AB 242: Certificates of death: veterans.
- Session Year: 2017-2018
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2017-09-11
Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health under the direction of the State Public Health Officer. Existing law sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Health Officer, including, but not limited to, designation as the State Registrar of Vital Statistics, having supervisory powers over local registrars and responsibility for the uniform and thorough enforcement of provisions relating to the registration of certain vital statistics.
Existing law requires that each death be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found. Existing law sets forth the persons responsible for completing the certificate of death and the required contents of the certificate, including, but not limited to, the decedents name, sex, and birthplace. Certain violations of these requirements are a crime.
This bill would require a person completing the certificate of death to record whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States. The bill would also require the State Department of Public Health to access data within the electronic death registration system to compile a report on veteran suicide in California and require the department to annually provide that report to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs, beginning January 1, 2019. By changing the definition of existing crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health under the direction of the State Public Health Officer. Existing law sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Health Officer, including, but not limited to, designation as the State Registrar of Vital Statistics, having supervisory powers over local registrars and responsibility for the uniform and thorough enforcement of provisions relating to the registration of certain vital statistics.
Existing law requires that each death be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found. Existing law sets forth the persons responsible for completing the certificate of death and the required contents of the certificate, including, but not limited to, the decedents name, sex, and birthplace. Certain violations of these requirements are a crime.
This bill would require a person completing the certificate of death to record whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States. The bill would also require the State Department of Public Health to access data within the electronic death registration system to compile a report on veteran suicide in California and require the department to annually provide that report to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs, beginning January 1, 2019. By changing the definition of existing crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health under the direction of the State Public Health Officer. Existing law sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Health Officer, including, but not limited to, designation as the State Registrar of Vital Statistics, having supervisory powers over local registrars and responsibility for the uniform and thorough enforcement of provisions relating to the registration of certain vital statistics.
Existing law requires that each death be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found. Existing law sets forth the persons responsible for completing the certificate of death and the required contents of the certificate, including, but not limited to, the decedents name, sex, and birthplace. Certain violations of these requirements are a crime.
This bill would require a person completing the certificate of death to record whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States. The bill would also require the State Department of Public Health to access data within the electronic death registration system to compile a report on veteran suicide in California and require the department to annually provide that report to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Affairs, beginning January 1, 2019. By changing the definition of existing crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health under the direction of the State Public Health Officer. Existing law sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Health Officer, including, but not limited to, designation as the State Registrar of Vital Statistics, having supervisory powers over local registrars and responsibility for the uniform and thorough enforcement of provisions relating to the registration of certain vital statistics.
Existing law requires that each death be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found. Existing law sets forth the persons responsible for completing the certificate of death and the required contents of the certificate, including, but not limited to, the decedents name, sex, and birthplace. Certain violations of these requirements are a crime.
This bill would require a person completing the certificate of death to record whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States. The bill would also require the State Department of Public Health to access data within the electronic death registration system to compile a report on veteran suicide in California and require the department to annually provide that report to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs. By changing the definition of existing crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires a coroner to perform or cause to be performed an autopsy on a decedent, for which an autopsy has not already been performed, on request of specified relatives. Existing law requires a coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy to prepare a final report of investigation that lists or describes certain information collected pursuant to the postmortem examination or autopsy.This bill would also require the final report of investigation to indicate whether the deceased person was an active or reserve member of the United States military, or was a member of the California National Guard, California Air National Guard, or California National Guard Reserve, either at or prior to the time of his or her death. The bill would require the person preparing the report to consult with the county veterans service officer, if he or she is unable to determine the deceased persons Armed Forces status. The bill would also require the coroner to make data on veteran suicides available to the State Department of Public Health and would require the State Department of Public Health to annually report data on veteran suicides to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs. By imposing new duties on county coroners, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Existing law requires a coroner to perform or cause to be performed an autopsy on a decedent, for which an autopsy has not already been performed, on request of specified relatives. Existing law requires a coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy to prepare a final report of investigation that lists or describes certain information collected pursuant to the postmortem examination or autopsy.
This bill would also require the final report of investigation to indicate whether the deceased person was an active or reserve member of the United States military, or was a member of the California National Guard, California Air National Guard, or California National Guard Reserve, either at or prior to the time of his or her death. The bill would require the person preparing the report to consult with the county veterans service officer, if he or she is unable to determine the deceased persons Armed Forces status. The bill would also require the coroner to make data on veteran suicides available to the State Department of Public Health and would require the State Department of Public Health to annually report data on veteran suicides to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs. By imposing new duties on county coroners, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(a)The State Department of Public Health shall access data within the electronic death registration system implemented pursuant to Section 102778 to compile a report on veteran suicide in California. The report shall only include information on the ages, sexes, races or ethnicities, and methods of suicide of veterans.
(b)(1)Beginning January 1, 2019, the department shall, notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, annually provide the report compiled pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2)A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2.Section 102875 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:102875.The certificate of death shall be divided into two sections.
(a)The first section shall contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including all of the following and those other items as the State Registrar may designate:
(1)(A)Personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, occupation and industry or business, and whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
(B)A person completing the certificate shall record the decedents sex to reflect the decedents gender identity. The decedents gender identity shall be reported by the informant, unless the person completing the certificate is presented with a birth certificate, a drivers license, a social security record, a court order approving a name or gender change, a passport, an advanced health care directive, or proof of clinical treatment for gender transition, in which case the person completing the certificate shall record the decedents sex as that which corresponds to the decedents gender identity as indicated in that document. If none of these documents are presented and the person with the right, or a majority of persons who have equal rights, to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Section 7100 is in disagreement with the gender identity reported by the informant, the gender identity of the decedent recorded on the death certificate shall be as reported by that person or majority of persons.
(C)If a document specified in subparagraph (B) is not presented and a majority of persons who have equal rights to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Section 7100 do not agree with the gender identity of the decedent as reported by the informant, any one of those persons may file a petition, in the superior court in the county in which the decedent resided at the time of his or her death, or in which the remains are located, naming as a party to the action those persons who otherwise have equal rights to control the disposition and seeking an order of the court determining, as appropriate, who among those parties shall determine the gender identity of the decedent.
(D)A person completing the death certificate in compliance with subparagraph (B) is not liable for any damages or costs arising from claims related to the sex of the decedent as entered on the certificate of death.
(E)A person completing the death certificate shall comply with the data and certification requirements described in Section 102800 by using the information available to him or her prior to the deadlines for completion specified in that section.
(2)Date of death, including month, day, and year.
(3)Place of death.
(4)Full name of father and birthplace of father, and full maiden name of mother and birthplace of mother.
(5)Informant.
(6)Disposition of body information, including signature and license number of embalmer, if the body is embalmed, or name of embalmer if affixed by attorney-in-fact; name of funeral director, or person acting as such; and date and place of interment or removal. Notwithstanding any other law, an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar may be used in lieu of the actual signature of the embalmer.
(7)Certification and signature of attending physician and surgeon or certification and signature of coroner when required to act by law. Notwithstanding any other law, the person completing the portion of the certificate setting forth the cause of death may attest to its accuracy by use of an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar in lieu of a signature.
(8)Date accepted for registration and signature of local registrar. Notwithstanding any other law, the local registrar may elect to use an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar in lieu of a signature.
(b)The second section shall contain those items relating to medical and health data, including all of the following and other items as the State Registrar may designate:
(1)Disease or conditions leading directly to death and antecedent causes.
(2)Operations and major findings thereof.
(3)Accident and injury information.
(4)Information indicating whether the decedent was pregnant at the time of death, or within the year prior to the death, if known, as determined by observation, autopsy, or review of the medical record. This paragraph shall not be interpreted to require the performance of a pregnancy test on a decedent, or to require a review of medical records in order to determine pregnancy.
SEC. 3.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
(a)The State Department of Public Health shall access data within the electronic death registration system implemented pursuant to Section 102778 to compile a report on veteran suicide in California. The report shall only include information on the ages, sexes, races or ethnicities, and methods of suicide of veterans.
(b)(1)Beginning January 1, 2019, the department shall, notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, annually provide the report compiled pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2)A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2.Section 102875 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:102875.The certificate of death shall be divided into two sections.
(a)The first section shall contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including all of the following and those other items as the State Registrar may designate:
(1)(A)Personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, occupation and industry or business, and whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
(B)A person completing the certificate shall record the decedents sex to reflect the decedents gender identity. The decedents gender identity shall be reported by the informant, unless the person completing the certificate is presented with a birth certificate, a drivers license, a social security record, a court order approving a name or gender change, a passport, an advanced health care directive, or proof of clinical treatment for gender transition, in which case the person completing the certificate shall record the decedents sex as that which corresponds to the decedents gender identity as indicated in that document. If none of these documents are presented and the person with the right, or a majority of persons who have equal rights, to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Section 7100 is in disagreement with the gender identity reported by the informant, the gender identity of the decedent recorded on the death certificate shall be as reported by that person or majority of persons.
(C)If a document specified in subparagraph (B) is not presented and a majority of persons who have equal rights to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Section 7100 do not agree with the gender identity of the decedent as reported by the informant, any one of those persons may file a petition, in the superior court in the county in which the decedent resided at the time of his or her death, or in which the remains are located, naming as a party to the action those persons who otherwise have equal rights to control the disposition and seeking an order of the court determining, as appropriate, who among those parties shall determine the gender identity of the decedent.
(D)A person completing the death certificate in compliance with subparagraph (B) is not liable for any damages or costs arising from claims related to the sex of the decedent as entered on the certificate of death.
(E)A person completing the death certificate shall comply with the data and certification requirements described in Section 102800 by using the information available to him or her prior to the deadlines for completion specified in that section.
(2)Date of death, including month, day, and year.
(3)Place of death.
(4)Full name of father and birthplace of father, and full maiden name of mother and birthplace of mother.
(5)Informant.
(6)Disposition of body information, including signature and license number of embalmer, if the body is embalmed, or name of embalmer if affixed by attorney-in-fact; name of funeral director, or person acting as such; and date and place of interment or removal. Notwithstanding any other law, an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar may be used in lieu of the actual signature of the embalmer.
(7)Certification and signature of attending physician and surgeon or certification and signature of coroner when required to act by law. Notwithstanding any other law, the person completing the portion of the certificate setting forth the cause of death may attest to its accuracy by use of an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar in lieu of a signature.
(8)Date accepted for registration and signature of local registrar. Notwithstanding any other law, the local registrar may elect to use an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar in lieu of a signature.
(b)The second section shall contain those items relating to medical and health data, including all of the following and other items as the State Registrar may designate:
(1)Disease or conditions leading directly to death and antecedent causes.
(2)Operations and major findings thereof.
(3)Accident and injury information.
(4)Information indicating whether the decedent was pregnant at the time of death, or within the year prior to the death, if known, as determined by observation, autopsy, or review of the medical record. This paragraph shall not be interpreted to require the performance of a pregnancy test on a decedent, or to require a review of medical records in order to determine pregnancy.
SEC. 3.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
(a)The State Department of Public Health shall access data within the electronic death registration system implemented pursuant to Section 102778 to compile a report on veteran suicide in California. The report shall include, at a minimum, only include information on the ages, sexes, nationalities, races or ethnicities, and methods of suicide of veterans.
(b)(1)The Beginning January 1, 2019, the department shall, notwithstanding Section 10231.5, 10231.5 of the Government Code, annually provide the report compiled pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2)A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795. 9795 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2.Section 102875 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:102875.The certificate of death shall be divided into two sections.
(a)The first section shall contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including all of the following and those other items as the State Registrar may designate:
(1)(A)Personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, occupation and industry or business, and whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
(B)A person completing the certificate shall record the decedents sex to reflect the decedents gender identity. The decedents gender identity shall be reported by the informant, unless the person completing the certificate is presented with a birth certificate, a drivers license, a social security record, a court order approving a name or gender change, a passport, an advanced health care directive, or proof of clinical treatment for gender transition, in which case the person completing the certificate shall record the decedents sex as that which corresponds to the decedents gender identity as indicated in that document. If none of these documents are presented and the person with the right, or a majority of persons who have equal rights, to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Section 7100 is in disagreement with the gender identity reported by the informant, the gender identity of the decedent recorded on the death certificate shall be as reported by that person or majority of persons.
(C)If a document specified in subparagraph (B) is not presented and a majority of persons who have equal rights to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Section 7100 do not agree with the gender identity of the decedent as reported by the informant, any one of those persons may file a petition, in the superior court in the county in which the decedent resided at the time of his or her death, or in which the remains are located, naming as a party to the action those persons who otherwise have equal rights to control the disposition and seeking an order of the court determining, as appropriate, who among those parties shall determine the gender identity of the decedent.
(D)A person completing the death certificate in compliance with subparagraph (B) is not liable for any damages or costs arising from claims related to the sex of the decedent as entered on the certificate of death.
(E)A person completing the death certificate shall comply with the data and certification requirements described in Section 102800 by using the information available to him or her prior to the deadlines for completion specified in that section.
(2)Date of death, including month, day, and year.
(3)Place of death.
(4)Full name of father and birthplace of father, and full maiden name of mother and birthplace of mother.
(5)Informant.
(6)Disposition of body information, including signature and license number of embalmer, if the body is embalmed, or name of embalmer if affixed by attorney-in-fact; name of funeral director, or person acting as such; and date and place of interment or removal. Notwithstanding any other law, an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar may be used in lieu of the actual signature of the embalmer.
(7)Certification and signature of attending physician and surgeon or certification and signature of coroner when required to act by law. Notwithstanding any other law, the person completing the portion of the certificate setting forth the cause of death may attest to its accuracy by use of an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar in lieu of a signature.
(8)Date accepted for registration and signature of local registrar. Notwithstanding any other law, the local registrar may elect to use an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar in lieu of a signature.
(b)The second section shall contain those items relating to medical and health data, including all of the following and other items as the State Registrar may designate:
(1)Disease or conditions leading directly to death and antecedent causes.
(2)Operations and major findings thereof.
(3)Accident and injury information.
(4)Information indicating whether the decedent was pregnant at the time of death, or within the year prior to the death, if known, as determined by observation, autopsy, or review of the medical record. This paragraph shall not be interpreted to require the performance of a pregnancy test on a decedent, or to require a review of medical records in order to determine pregnancy.
SEC. 3.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
(a)The State Department of Public Health shall access data within the electronic death registration system implemented pursuant to Section 102778 to compile a report on veteran suicide in California. The report shall include, at a minimum, information on the ages, sexes, nationalities, and methods of suicide of veterans.
(b)(1)The department shall, notwithstanding Section 10231.5, annually provide the report compiled pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2)A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.
SEC. 2.Section 102875 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:102875.The certificate of death shall be divided into two sections.
(a)The first section shall contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including all of the following and those other items as the State Registrar may designate:
(1)(A)Personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business. business, and whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
(B)Commencing July 1, 2015, a A person completing the certificate shall record the decedents sex to reflect the decedents gender identity. The decedents gender identity shall be reported by the informant, unless the person completing the certificate is presented with a birth certificate, a drivers license, a social security record, a court order approving a name or gender change, a passport, an advanced health care directive, or proof of clinical treatment for gender transition, in which case the person completing the certificate shall record the decedents sex as that which corresponds to the decedents gender identity as indicated in that document. If none of these documents are presented and the person with the right, or a majority of persons who have equal rights, to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Section 7100 is in disagreement with the gender identity reported by the informant, the gender identity of the decedent recorded on the death certificate shall be as reported by that person or majority of persons.
(C)Commencing July 1, 2015, if If a document specified in subparagraph (B) is not presented and a majority of persons who have equal rights to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Section 7100 do not agree with the gender identity of the decedent as reported by the informant, any one of those persons may file a petition, in the superior court in the county in which the decedent resided at the time of his or her death, or in which the remains are located, naming as a party to the action those persons who otherwise have equal rights to control the disposition and seeking an order of the court determining, as appropriate, who among those parties shall determine the gender identity of the decedent.
(D)Commencing July 1, 2015, a A person completing the death certificate in compliance with subparagraph (B) is not liable for any damages or costs arising from claims related to the sex of the decedent as entered on the certificate of death.
(E)Commencing July 1, 2015, a A person completing the death certificate shall comply with the data and certification requirements described in Section 102800 by using the information available to him or her prior to the deadlines for completion specified in that section.
(2)Date of death, including month, day, and year.
(3)Place of death.
(4)Full name of father and birthplace of father, and full maiden name of mother and birthplace of mother.
(5)Informant.
(6)Disposition of body information information, including signature and license number of embalmer if body embalmed embalmer, if the body is embalmed, or name of embalmer if affixed by attorney-in-fact; name of funeral director, or person acting as such; and date and place of interment or removal. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, law, an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar may be used in lieu of the actual signature of the embalmer.
(7)Certification and signature of attending physician and surgeon or certification and signature of coroner when required to act by law. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, law, the person completing the portion of the certificate setting forth the cause of death may attest to its accuracy by use of an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar in lieu of a signature.
(8)Date accepted for registration and signature of local registrar. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, law, the local registrar may elect to use an electronic signature substitute, or some other indicator of authenticity, approved by the State Registrar in lieu of a signature.
(b)The second section shall contain those items relating to medical and health data, including all of the following and other items as the State Registrar may designate:
(1)Disease or conditions leading directly to death and antecedent causes.
(2)Operations and major findings thereof.
(3)Accident and injury information.
(4)Information indicating whether the decedent was pregnant at the time of death, or within the year prior to the death, if known, as determined by observation, autopsy, or review of the medical record. This paragraph shall not be interpreted to require the performance of a pregnancy test on a decedent, or to require a review of medical records in order to determine pregnancy.
SEC. 3.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SECTION 1.Section 27521 of the Government Code is amended to read:27521.(a)A postmortem examination or autopsy conducted at the discretion of a coroner, medical examiner, or other agency upon an unidentified body or human remains is subject to this section.(b)A postmortem examination or autopsy shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following procedures:(1)Taking of all available fingerprints and palm prints.(2)A dental examination consisting of dental charts and dental X-rays of the deceased persons teeth, which may be conducted on the body or human remains by a qualified dentist as determined by the coroner.(3)The collection of tissue, including a hair sample, or body fluid samples for future DNA testing, if necessary.(4)Frontal and lateral facial photographs with the scale indicated.(5)Notation and photographs, with a scale, of significant scars, marks, tattoos, clothing items, or other personal effects found with or near the body.(6)Notations of observations pertinent to the estimation of the time of death.(7)Precise documentation of the location of the remains.(c)The postmortem examination or autopsy of the unidentified body or remains may include full body X-rays.(d)(1)At the sole and exclusive discretion of a coroner, medical examiner, or other agency tasked with performing an autopsy pursuant to Section 27491, an electronic image system, including, but not limited to, an X-ray computed tomography scanning system, may be used to fulfill the requirements of subdivision (b) or of a postmortem examination or autopsy required by other law, including but not limited to, Section 27520.(2)Nothing in this subdivision imposes a duty upon any coroner, medical examiner, or other agency tasked with performing autopsies pursuant to Section 27491 to use an electronic image system to perform autopsies or to acquire the capability to do so.(3)A coroner, medical examiner, or other agency tasked with performing an autopsy pursuant to Section 27491 shall not use an electronic imaging system to conduct an autopsy in any investigation where the circumstances surrounding the death afford a reasonable basis to suspect that the death was caused by or related to the criminal act of another and it is necessary to collect evidence for presentation in a court of law. If the results of an autopsy performed using electronic imaging provides the basis to suspect that the death was caused by or related to the criminal act of another, and it is necessary to collect evidence for presentation in a court of law, then a dissection autopsy shall be performed in order to determine the cause and manner of death.(4)An autopsy may be conducted using an X-ray computed tomography scanning system notwithstanding the existence of a certificate of religious belief properly executed in accordance with Section 27491.43.(e)The coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy shall prepare a final report of investigation in a format established by the Department of Justice. The final report shall list or describe the information collected pursuant to the postmortem examination or autopsy conducted under subdivision (b) and indicate whether the deceased person was an active or reserve member of the United States military, or was a member of the California National Guard, California Air National Guard, or California National Guard Reserve, either at or prior to the time of his or her death. If the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency preparing the final report is unable to determine the deceased persons Armed Forces status, the person preparing the report shall consult with the county veterans service officer.(f)The body of an unidentified deceased person shall not be cremated or buried until the jaws (maxilla and mandible with teeth), or other bone sample if the jaws are not available, and other tissue samples are retained for future possible use. Unless the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy has determined that the body of the unidentified deceased person has suffered significant deterioration or decomposition, the jaws shall not be removed until immediately before the body is cremated or buried. The coroner, medical examiner, or other agency responsible for a postmortem examination or autopsy shall retain the jaws and other tissue samples for one year after a positive identification is made, and no civil or criminal challenges are pending, or indefinitely.(g)If the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy with the aid of the dental examination and any other identifying findings is unable to establish the identity of the body or human remains, the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency shall submit dental charts and dental X-rays of the unidentified deceased person to the Department of Justice on forms supplied by the Department of Justice within 45 days of the date the body or human remains were discovered.(h)If the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy with the aid of the dental examination and other identifying findings is unable to establish the identity of the body or human remains, the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency shall submit the final report of investigation to the Department of Justice within 180 days of the date the body or human remains were discovered. The final report of investigation shall list or describe the information collected pursuant to the postmortem examination or autopsy conducted under subdivision (b), and any anthropology report, fingerprints, photographs, and autopsy report.SEC. 2.Section 27521.2 is added to the Government Code, to read:27521.2.(a)The coroner shall make data on veteran suicides available to the State Department of Public Health.(b)(1)The State Department of Public Health shall, notwithstanding Section 10231.5, annually report data on veteran suicides to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs.(2)A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.SEC. 3.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. REVISIONS: HeadingLines 3 and 4.(a)A postmortem examination or autopsy conducted at the discretion of a coroner, medical examiner, or other agency upon an unidentified body or human remains is subject to this section.
(b)A postmortem examination or autopsy shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following procedures:
(1)Taking of all available fingerprints and palm prints.
(2)A dental examination consisting of dental charts and dental X-rays of the deceased persons teeth, which may be conducted on the body or human remains by a qualified dentist as determined by the coroner.
(3)The collection of tissue, including a hair sample, or body fluid samples for future DNA testing, if necessary.
(4)Frontal and lateral facial photographs with the scale indicated.
(5)Notation and photographs, with a scale, of significant scars, marks, tattoos, clothing items, or other personal effects found with or near the body.
(6)Notations of observations pertinent to the estimation of the time of death.
(7)Precise documentation of the location of the remains.
(c)The postmortem examination or autopsy of the unidentified body or remains may include full body X-rays.
(d)(1)At the sole and exclusive discretion of a coroner, medical examiner, or other agency tasked with performing an autopsy pursuant to Section 27491, an electronic image system, including, but not limited to, an X-ray computed tomography scanning system, may be used to fulfill the requirements of subdivision (b) or of a postmortem examination or autopsy required by other law, including but not limited to, Section 27520.
(2)Nothing in this subdivision imposes a duty upon any coroner, medical examiner, or other agency tasked with performing autopsies pursuant to Section 27491 to use an electronic image system to perform autopsies or to acquire the capability to do so.
(3)A coroner, medical examiner, or other agency tasked with performing an autopsy pursuant to Section 27491 shall not use an electronic imaging system to conduct an autopsy in any investigation where the circumstances surrounding the death afford a reasonable basis to suspect that the death was caused by or related to the criminal act of another and it is necessary to collect evidence for presentation in a court of law. If the results of an autopsy performed using electronic imaging provides the basis to suspect that the death was caused by or related to the criminal act of another, and it is necessary to collect evidence for presentation in a court of law, then a dissection autopsy shall be performed in order to determine the cause and manner of death.
(4)An autopsy may be conducted using an X-ray computed tomography scanning system notwithstanding the existence of a certificate of religious belief properly executed in accordance with Section 27491.43.
(e)The coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy shall prepare a final report of investigation in a format established by the Department of Justice. The final report shall list or describe the information collected pursuant to the postmortem examination or autopsy conducted under subdivision (b). (b) and indicate whether the deceased person was an active or reserve member of the United States military, or was a member of the California National Guard, California Air National Guard, or California National Guard Reserve, either at or prior to the time of his or her death. If the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency preparing the final report is unable to determine the deceased persons Armed Forces status, the person preparing the report shall consult with the county veterans service officer.
(f)The body of an unidentified deceased person shall not be cremated or buried until the jaws (maxilla and mandible with teeth), or other bone sample if the jaws are not available, and other tissue samples are retained for future possible use. Unless the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy has determined that the body of the unidentified deceased person has suffered significant deterioration or decomposition, the jaws shall not be removed until immediately before the body is cremated or buried. The coroner, medical examiner, or other agency responsible for a postmortem examination or autopsy shall retain the jaws and other tissue samples for one year after a positive identification is made, and no civil or criminal challenges are pending, or indefinitely.
(g)If the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy with the aid of the dental examination and any other identifying findings is unable to establish the identity of the body or human remains, the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency shall submit dental charts and dental X-rays of the unidentified deceased person to the Department of Justice on forms supplied by the Department of Justice within 45 days of the date the body or human remains were discovered.
(h)If the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency performing a postmortem examination or autopsy with the aid of the dental examination and other identifying findings is unable to establish the identity of the body or human remains, the coroner, medical examiner, or other agency shall submit the final report of investigation to the Department of Justice within 180 days of the date the body or human remains were discovered. The final report of investigation shall list or describe the information collected pursuant to the postmortem examination or autopsy conducted under subdivision (b), and any anthropology report, fingerprints, photographs, and autopsy report.
SEC. 2.Section 27521.2 is added to the Government Code, to read:27521.2.(a)The coroner shall make data on veteran suicides available to the State Department of Public Health.
(b)(1)The State Department of Public Health shall, notwithstanding Section 10231.5, annually report data on veteran suicides to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2)A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.
SEC. 3.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2017 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 222, Statutes of 2017. |
| Sep 11, 2017 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 1, 2017 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 10 a.m. |
| Aug 31, 2017 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Aug 24, 2017 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 26 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77. |
| Aug 24, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Aug 22, 2017 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Aug 21, 2017 | From committee: Be placed on second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to consent calendar. |
| Jul 11, 2017 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 11). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jul 3, 2017 | Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on V.A. |
| Jun 29, 2017 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on V.A. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 28). |
| Jun 19, 2017 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| May 18, 2017 | Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and V.A. |
| May 4, 2017 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 4, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 1388.) |
| Apr 27, 2017 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Apr 26, 2017 | Coauthors revised. |
| Apr 5, 2017 | Coauthors revised. |
| Mar 15, 2017 | Coauthors revised. |
| Mar 8, 2017 | Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. |
| Mar 7, 2017 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended. |
| Feb 6, 2017 | Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and V.A. |
| Jan 31, 2017 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 2. |
| Jan 30, 2017 | Read first time. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2017 | AB 242 ARAMBULA Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 24, 2017 | Consent Calendar 2nd AB242 | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jul 11, 2017 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs |
Passed |
|
| Jun 28, 2017 | Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Veterans Affairs] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Health |
Passed |
|
| May 4, 2017 | AB 242 ARAMBULA Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 26, 2017 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 4, 2017 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs |
Passed |
|
| Mar 14, 2017 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Veterans Affairs] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| A Combat Veteran'S Hope | ** Support | Jul 6, 2017 |
| American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees | ** Support | Jul 6, 2017 |
| American G.I Forum of California | ** Support | Aug 23, 2017 |
| American G.I. Forum | ** Support | Apr 3, 2017 |
| American Legion - Department of California | ** Support | Jul 6, 2017 |
| AMVETS-Department of California | ** Support | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Brewers Association | * Support | Apr 4, 2017 |
| Cabrillo College Veterans | ** Support | Jul 6, 2017 |
| california association for county veterans service officers | ** Support | Aug 23, 2017 |
| California Council of Chapters | ** Support | Apr 3, 2017 |
| California State Commanders Veterans Council | ** Support | Aug 23, 2017 |
| California State Coroners Association | ** Against | Jun 26, 2017 |
| county of placer board of supervisors | ** Support | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Military Officers Association of America | ** Support | Apr 3, 2017 |
| National Guard Association Of California | ** Support | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Placer County Board of Supervisors | ** Support | Aug 23, 2017 |
| Sanger Veterans Network | ** Support | Jul 6, 2017 |
| Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council | ** Support | Aug 23, 2017 |
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 242
Author:(Arambula and Patterson)
As Amended Ver:July 3, 2017
Majority vote
ASSEMBLY: | 76-0 | (May 4, 2017) | SENATE: | 38-0 | (August 24, 2017) |
Original Committee Reference: PUB. S.
SUMMARY: Requires a certificate of death to indicate whether the deceased person was a member of the Armed Forces so that the Department of Public Health may compile data on veteran suicides.
The Senate amendments delay the State Department of Public Health report on veteran suicides until January 1, 2019.
EXISTING LAW:
- Requires each death to be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found, within eight calendar days after death and prior to any disposition of the human remains.
- Requires the State Department of Health Services to implement an Internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information.
- Provides that a funeral director, or person acting in lieu thereof, shall prepare the certificate and register it with the local registrar.
- States that funeral directors shall obtain the required information other than medical and health section data from the person or source best qualified to supply this information.
- Provides that the certificate of death shall be divided into two sections:
- The first section shall contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business.
- The second section shall contain those items relating to medical and health data.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY, this bill:
- Required a certificate of death to indicate whether the deceased person was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Required the State Department of Public Health to compile data from the electronic death registration system in order to annually report information to the Legislature and Department of Veteran Affairs regarding the ages, sexes, nationalities, and methods of suicide of veterans.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS: According to the author, "It is estimated by the VA that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. AB 242 will require the Department of Public Health to compile already existing data from the Electronic Death Registration System and submit a report to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently, 21 states are collecting this data and AB 242 would add California to that list. Tracking this information will help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts are having a positive effect, if more attention to this matter is needed in the future and where to allocate existing resources for mental health funding. Our brave servicemen and women deserve this Legislatures much needed attention on this issue."
Analysis Prepared by: Gregory Pagan / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN: 0001352
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 242 |
CONSENT
Bill No: AB 242
Author: Arambula (D) and Patterson (R), et al.
Amended: 7/3/17 in Senate
SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/28/17
AYES: Hernandez, Nguyen, Atkins, Leyva, Newman, Nielsen, Roth
NO VOTE RECORDED: Mitchell, Monning
SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: 6-0, 7/11/17
AYES: Newman, Dodd, Hueso, Nguyen, Roth, Wilk
NO VOTE RECORDED: Nielsen
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/4/17 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Certificates of death: veterans
SOURCE: AMVETS-Department of California
DIGEST:
This bill requires a certificate of death to indicate whether the deceased person was a member of the Armed Forces, and requires the Department of Public Health to access death certificate data to compile an annual report on veteran suicide, beginning January 1, 2019.
Existing law:
- Requires each death to be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found, within eight calendar days after death and prior to any disposition of the human remains.
- Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to implement an Internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information.
- Requires a funeral director, or person acting in lieu thereof, to prepare the certificate and register it with the local registrar.
- Requires funeral directors to obtain the required information other than medical and health section data from the person or source best qualified to supply this information.
- Requires the first section of a death certificate to contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business.
- Requires the second section to contain those items relating to medical and health data.
This bill:
- Requires a person completing a death certificate to record whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Requires the DPH to access data within the electronic death registration system (EDRS) to compile a report on veteran suicide in California. Requires DPH to annually provide this report to the Legislature and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA), as specified. Requires the report to include, at a minimum, information on the age, sex, nationality, and method of suicide of veterans.
Comments
- Author’s statement. According to the author, it is estimated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. This bill will require the DPH to compile already existing data from the EDRS and submit a report to the Legislature and the CDVA. Currently, 21 states are collecting this data and this bill would add California to that list. Tracking this information will help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts are having a positive effect, if more attention to this matter is needed in the future and where to allocate existing resources for mental health funding. Our brave servicemen and women deserve this Legislatures much needed attention on this issue.
- Suicide among U.S. veterans. According to USDVA, veterans can be at risk for suicide for a variety of reasons. Some are coping with aging, stress, or lingering effects stemming from their military service that have never been addressed. Many have underlying mental health conditions, in some cases aggravated by their military service, which increases their risk. Many recently discharged Veterans have difficulty with their relationships or their transition back to civilian life. As part of its efforts to address this problem, USDVA has established several programs to help veterans in need, including a toll-free, confidential Veterans Crisis Line, a texting service, an online chat program, and several Centers of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. The USDVA released a report in 2012 on suicides committed by veteran, utilizing data from 21 states (not including California). The report found that of the 147,736 suicides reported, 18.3% were identified as having history of U.S. military service on their death certificates.
- Veteran status and suicide reporting on death certificates. Death certificates are filled out by the physician or surgeon last in attendance and require data input such as the decedent’s personal information and cause of death. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has provided a US Standard Certificate of Death as a template for states to use, which California has adopted very closely. One of the questions asks if the decedent was ever in the US Armed Forces, providing answer options of “Yes,” “No,” and “Unknown.” The manner of death is also recorded on the death certificate, giving options of “Natural,” “Accident,” “Suicide,” “Homicide,” “Pending investigation,” and “Could not be determined.”
According to a 2012 report published by the USDVA, using suicides reported on death certificates from 21 states (not including California), 23% of suicide reports had unknown veteran statuses. After reviewing this report, DPH’s Center for Health Statistics and Informatics conducted its own internal study of 2016 responses on California’s death certificates and found that only 1.23% of decedents who died due to suicide had a veteran’s status of “unknown.”
Related/Prior Legislation
AB 1053 (Mathis of 2015) would have required a person completing a death certificate to indicate whether the deceased was a member of the Armed Forces and whether suicide was the cause of death. AB 1053 died in the Assembly Health Committee.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
AMVETS-Department of California (source)
American G.I Forum of California
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO American Legion-Department of California
California Association for County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
County of Placer Board of Supervisors
Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters
National Guard Association of California
Placer County Board of Supervisors
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/22/17)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The supporters of this bill state that it is critical that we collect data on the suicide rate of veterans, which die at a rate of 22 a day. This bill may lead to decreasing this tragic number. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, states that because the data collected by this bill can help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts have made a positive impact, whether or not more attention to this matter is needed in the future, and where existing resources for mental health funding should be allocated.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/4/17
AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bloom, Bocanegra, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gomez, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Travis Allen, Bigelow, Cristina Garcia, Patterson
Prepared by: Bao Nguyen / HEALTH / (916) 651-4111
8/23/17 16:25:26
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
Senator Josh Newman, Chair
2017 - 2018 Regular
Bill No: Hearing Date: 7/11/17
Author: | Arambula | ||
Version: | Amended | ||
Urgency: | Fiscal: | ||
Consultant: | |||
Subject:
DESCRIPTION
Summary:
Requires that a certificate of death must show if the deceased person was ever a member of the United States Armed Forces. Requires the California Department of Public Health (DPH) to access death certificate data and compile a report on veteran suicide beginning January 1, 2019, and annually thereafter.
Existing law:
- Requires each death to be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district where the death was officially pronounced or the body was found, within eight calendar days after death and prior to any disposition of the human remains.
- Requires DPH to implement an Internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information.
- Requires a funeral director, or person acting in lieu thereof, to prepare the certificate and register it with the local registrar.
- Requires funeral directors to obtain the required information, other than medical and health section data, from the person or source best qualified to supply this information.
- Requires the first section of a death certificate to contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including the decedent’s full name, sex, color or race, marital status, spouse name, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business.
- Requires the second section to contain items relating to medical and health data.
This bill:
- Requires that a certificate of death must show if the deceased person was ever a member of the United States Armed Forces.
- Requires DPH to access death certificate data and compile a report on veteran suicide beginning January 1, 2019, and annually thereafter.
BACKGROUND
Military and Veteran Suicide. Suicide affects all Americans, but data shows that active duty service members and veterans commit suicide at much higher rates than the civilian population.
In the United States Department of Defense’s (DoD) “Quarterly Suicide Report” for the fourth quarter of 2016, the military services reported the following for all of 2016:
- 275 deaths by suicide for active military members;
- 203 deaths by suicide for military reserve members; and
- 123 deaths by suicide for members of the National Guard.
The Defense Suicide Prevention Office in DoD is working to address this problem through an integrated, holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention utilizing a range of medical and nonmedical resources.
In an effort to prevent suicides, DoD has recently launched a program entitled “Be There,” offering confidential peer coaching to active duty service members, including National Guard active and reserve members and their families, using 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week chat, telephone, and text options.
The program is staffed by peer coaches who are veteran service members and family members of veterans and aims to provide support for everyday problem solving, such as career and general life challenges.
In 2014, an average of 20 veterans died from suicide each day, and six of the 20 were users of United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) services.
The USDVA has undertaken several measures to prevent suicide among veterans, including a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week veterans crisis telephone hotline, using predictive analytics to identify those at risk for suicide and providing early intervention services, bolstering mental health services for female veterans, expanding telemental health services, and proactively reaching out to veterans needing care.
Veteran status and suicide reporting on death certificates. Death certificates are filled out by the physician or surgeon last in attendance and require data input such as the decedent’s personal information and cause of death. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided a US Standard Certificate of Death as a template for states to use, which California has adopted very closely. One of the questions asks if the decedent was ever in the US Armed Forces, providing answer options of “Yes,” “No,” and “Unknown.” The manner of death is also recorded on the death certificate, giving options of “Natural,” “Accident,” “Suicide,” “Homicide,” “Pending investigation,” and “Could not be determined.”
According to a 2012 report published by the USDVA, based on suicides reported on death certificates from 21 states (not including California), 23% of suicide reports had unknown veteran statuses. After reviewing this report, DPH’s Center for Health Statistics and Informatics (CHSI) conducted its own internal study of 2016 responses on California’s death certificates and found that only 1.23% of decedents who died due to suicide had a veteran’s status of “unknown.”
COMMENT
Prior/Related Legislation:
SCR 65 (Newman, 2017) proclaims September 24, 2017, to September 30, 2017, inclusive, as Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Week in California. (Pending, Senate Third Reading)
AB 1053 (Mathis, 2015) would have required a person completing a death certificate to indicate whether the deceased was a member of the Armed Forces and whether suicide was the cause of death. (Held in Assembly Health Committee)
POSITIONS
Sponsor: Author.
Support:
A Combat Veteran’s Hope
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
American G.I. Forum of California
American Legion – Department of California
AMVETS – Department of California
Cabrillo College Veterans
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of American – California Council of Chapters
National Guard Association of California
Placer County, Board of Supervisors
Sanger Veterans Network
Vietnam Veterans of America – California State Council
Oppose: None received.
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
Senator Ed Hernandez, O.D., Chair
BILL NO: AB 242
AUTHOR: | Arambula | ||
VERSION: | April 26, 2017 | ||
HEARING DATE: | June 21, 2017 | ||
CONSULTANT: | Bao Nguyen | ||
SUBJECT: Certificates of death: veterans
SUMMARY:
Requires a certificate of death to indicate whether the deceased person was a member of the Armed Forces. Requires the Department of Public Health to access death certificate data to compile an annual report on veteran suicide.
Existing law:
- Requires each death to be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found, within eight calendar days after death and prior to any disposition of the human remains.
- Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to implement an Internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information.
- Requires a funeral director, or person acting in lieu thereof, to prepare the certificate and register it with the local registrar.
- Requires funeral directors to obtain the required information other than medical and health section data from the person or source best qualified to supply this information.
- Requires the first section of a death certificate to contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business.
- Requires the second section to contain those items relating to medical and health data.
This bill:
- Requires a person completing a death certificate to record whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to access data within the electronic death registration system (EDRS) to compile a report on veteran suicide in California. Requires DPH to annually provide this report to the Legislature and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA), as specified. Requires the report to include, at a minimum, information on the age, sex, nationality, and method of suicide of veterans.
FISCAL EFFECT:
According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill will incur minor costs, in the range of $10,000 (special fund) to CDPH for staff to compile the report.
PRIOR VOTES:
Assembly Floor: | 76 - 0 |
Assembly Appropriations Committee: | 16 - 0 |
Assembly Public Safety Committee: | 7 - 0 |
COMMENTS:
- Author’s statement. According to the author, it is estimated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. This bill will require the CDPH to compile already existing data from the EDRS and submit a report to the Legislature and the CDVA. Currently, 21 states are collecting this data and this bill would add California to that list. Tracking this information will help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts are having a positive effect, if more attention to this matter is needed in the future and where to allocate existing resources for mental health funding. Our brave servicemen and women deserve this Legislatures much needed attention on this issue.
- Suicide among U.S. veterans. According to USDVA, veterans can be at risk for suicide for a variety of reasons. Some are coping with aging, stress, or lingering effects stemming from their military service that have never been addressed. Many have underlying mental health conditions, in some cases aggravated by their military service, which increases their risk. Many recently discharged Veterans have difficulty with their relationships or their transition back to civilian life. As part of its efforts to address this problem, VA has established several programs to help veterans in need, including a toll-free, confidential Veterans Crisis Line, a texting service, an online chat program, and several Centers of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. The USDVA released a report in 2012 on suicides committed by veteran, utilizing data from 21 states (not including California). The report found that of the 147,736 suicides reported, 18.3% were identified as having history of U.S. military service on their death certificates.
- Veteran status and suicide reporting on death certificates. Death certificates are filled out by the physician or surgeon last in attendance and require data input such as the decedent’s personal information and cause of death. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided a US Standard Certificate of Death as a template for states to use, which California has adopted very closely. One of the questions asks if the decedent was ever in the US Armed Forces, providing answer options of “Yes,” “No,” and “Unknown.” The manner of death is also recorded on the death certificate, giving options of “Natural,” “Accident,” “Suicide,” “Homicide,” “Pending investigation,” and “Could not be determined.”
According to a 2012 report published by the USDVA, using suicides reported on death certificates from 21 states (not including California), 23% of suicide reports had unknown veteran statuses. After reviewing this report, CDPH’s Center for Health Statistics and Informatics (CHSI) conducted its own internal study of 2016 responses on California’s death certificates and found that only 1.23% of decedents who died due to suicide had a veteran’s status of “unknown.” - Double referral. This bill is double referred. Should it pass out of this committee, it will be referred to the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs.
- Prior legislation. AB 1053 (Mathis of 2015) would have required a person completing a death certificate to indicate whether the deceased was a member of the Armed Forces and whether suicide was the cause of death. AB 1053 died in the Assembly Health Committee.
- Support. The supporters of this bill state that it is critical that we collect data on the suicide rate of veterans, which die at a rate of 22 a day. This bill may lead to decreasing this tragic number. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, states that because the data collected by this bill can help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts have made a positive impact, whether or not more attention to this matter is needed in the future, and where existing resources for mental health funding should be allocated. The Placer County Board of Supervisors
- Opposition. The California State Coroners’ Association opposes this bill because it imposes additional requirements on coroners when they complete death certificates to obtain information that is already available in other existing databases.
- Amendments. The author has asked the committee to make amendments as suggested by CDPH to clarify that the annual report is required to include only information on the ages, sexes, races/or ethnicities, and methods of suicide of veterans. The annual report is also to be compiled beginning January 1, 2019.
SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION:
Support: AMVETS-Department of California (sponsor)
American G.I Forum of California
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO American Legion-Department of California
California Association for County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
County of Placer Board of Supervisors
Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters
National Guard Association of California
Placer County Board of Supervisors
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council
Oppose: California State Coroners Association
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
Senator Ed Hernandez, O.D., Chair
BILL NO: AB 242
AUTHOR: | Arambula | ||
VERSION: | April 26, 2017 | ||
HEARING DATE: | June 21, 2017 | ||
CONSULTANT: | Bao Nguyen | ||
SUBJECT: Certificates of death: veterans
SUMMARY:
Requires a certificate of death to indicate whether the deceased person was a member of the Armed Forces. Requires the Department of Public Health to access death certificate data to compile an annual report on veteran suicide.
Existing law:
- Requires each death to be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found, within eight calendar days after death and prior to any disposition of the human remains.
- Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to implement an Internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information.
- Requires a funeral director, or person acting in lieu thereof, to prepare the certificate and register it with the local registrar.
- Requires funeral directors to obtain the required information other than medical and health section data from the person or source best qualified to supply this information.
- Requires the first section of a death certificate to contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business.
- Requires the second section to contain those items relating to medical and health data.
This bill:
- Requires a person completing a death certificate to record whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to access data within the electronic death registration system (EDRS) to compile a report on veteran suicide in California. Requires DPH to annually provide this report to the Legislature and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA), as specified. Requires the report to include, at a minimum, information on the age, sex, nationality, and method of suicide of veterans.
FISCAL EFFECT:
According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill will incur minor costs, in the range of $10,000 (special fund) to CDPH for staff to compile the report.
PRIOR VOTES:
Assembly Floor: | 76 - 0 |
Assembly Appropriations Committee: | 16 - 0 |
Assembly Public Safety Committee: | 7 - 0 |
COMMENTS:
- Author’s statement. According to the author, it is estimated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. This bill will require the CDPH to compile already existing data from the EDRS and submit a report to the Legislature and the CDVA. Currently, 21 states are collecting this data and this bill would add California to that list. Tracking this information will help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts are having a positive effect, if more attention to this matter is needed in the future and where to allocate existing resources for mental health funding. Our brave servicemen and women deserve this Legislatures much needed attention on this issue.
- Suicide among U.S. veterans. According to USDVA, veterans can be at risk for suicide for a variety of reasons. Some are coping with aging, stress, or lingering effects stemming from their military service that have never been addressed. Many have underlying mental health conditions, in some cases aggravated by their military service, which increases their risk. Many recently discharged Veterans have difficulty with their relationships or their transition back to civilian life. As part of its efforts to address this problem, VA has established several programs to help veterans in need, including a toll-free, confidential Veterans Crisis Line, a texting service, an online chat program, and several Centers of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. The USDVA released a report in 2012 on suicides committed by veteran, utilizing data from 21 states (not including California). The report found that of the 147,736 suicides reported, 18.3% were identified as having history of U.S. military service on their death certificates.
- Veteran status and suicide reporting on death certificates. Death certificates are filled out by the physician or surgeon last in attendance and require data input such as the decedent’s personal information and cause of death. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided a US Standard Certificate of Death as a template for states to use, which California has adopted very closely. One of the questions asks if the decedent was ever in the US Armed Forces, providing answer options of “Yes,” “No,” and “Unknown.” The manner of death is also recorded on the death certificate, giving options of “Natural,” “Accident,” “Suicide,” “Homicide,” “Pending investigation,” and “Could not be determined.”
According to a 2012 report published by the USDVA, using suicides reported on death certificates from 21 states (not including California), 23% of suicide reports had unknown veteran statuses. - Double referral. This bill is double referred. Should it pass out of this committee, it will be referred to the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs.
- Prior legislation. AB 1053 (Mathis of 2015) would have required a person completing a death certificate to indicate whether the deceased was a member of the Armed Forces and whether suicide was the cause of death. AB 1053 died in the Assembly Health Committee.
- Support. The supporters of this bill state that it is critical that we collect data on the suicide rate of veterans, which die at a rate of 22 a day. This bill may lead to decreasing this tragic number. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, states that because the data collected by this bill can help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts have made a positive impact, whether or not more attention to this matter is needed in the future, and where existing resources for mental health funding should be allocated.
- Comment. According to the 2012 USDVA report, only 77% of the death certificates used for that study identified decedents as definitively veterans or not veterans and could be used to make conclusions about the rate of suicide among veterans. In order to ensure more robust death certificate data, the authors might consider requiring coroners or CDPH to access state or national veterans databases, such as the California Veterans Registry, to verify veteran status in the case decedents labeled as having an “unknown” military status.
SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION:
Support: AMVETS-Department of California (sponsor)
American G.I Forum of California
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO American Legion-Department of California
California Association for County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters
National Guard Association of California
Placer County Board of Supervisors
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council
Oppose: None received.
-- END --
Date of Hearing: April 26, 2017
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 242
Author:(Arambula) – As Amended Ver:March 7, 2017
Policy Committee: | Public Safety | Vote: | 7 - 0 |
Veterans Affairs | 10 - 0 |
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires a person completing a death certificate to record whether the decedent was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States. In addition, this bill requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to access data within the electronic death registration system (EDRS) to compile a report on veteran suicide in California and provide an annual report to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The report will include, at a minimum, information on the age, sex, nationality, and method of suicide of veterans.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor cost, in the range of $10,000 (special fund) to CDPH for staff to compile the report.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose and Background. According to the author, "It is estimated by the VA that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. AB 242 will require the Department of Public Health to compile already existing data from the Electronic Death Registration System and submit a report to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently, 21 states are collecting this data and AB 242 would add California to that list. Tracking this information will help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts are having a positive effect, if more attention to this matter is needed in the future and where to allocate existing resources for mental health funding. Our brave servicemen and women deserve this Legislatures much needed attention on this issue.”
California has implemented the EDRS to improve the process of death registration and certification. This internet-based program is maintained by the Department of Health Services and allows for better access to information provided by certificates of death. By formally adopting a state requirement that veteran status be included on death certificates and requiring the CDPH to compile this data through the CA-EDRS, this bill will allow the legislature and DVA to utilize existing records to analyze veteran suicides in a timelier manner.
- Prior Legislation. AB 1053 (Mathis), of the 2015-1016 Legislative Session, would have required a person completing a death certificate to indicate whether the deceased was a member of the Armed Forces and whether suicide was the cause of death. AB 1053 was never heard in a committee.
Analysis Prepared by: Pedro Reyes / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 4, 2017
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 242 (
Author:Arambula and Patterson) – As Amended Ver:March 7, 2017
SUBJECT: Certificates of death: veterans
SUMMARY: Requires a certificate of death to indicate whether the deceased person was a member of the Armed Forces so that the Department of Public Health may compile data on veteran suicides. Specifically, this bill:
- Requires a certificate of death to indicate whether the deceased person was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Requires the State Department of Public Health to compile data from the electronic death registration system in order to annually report information to the Legislature and Department of Veteran Affairs regarding the ages, sexes, nationalities, and methods of suicide of veterans.
EXISTING LAW:
- Requires each death to be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found, within eight calendar days after death and prior to any disposition of the human remains. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102775.)
- Requires the State Department of Health Services to implement an Internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102778.)
- Provides that a funeral director, or person acting in lieu thereof, shall prepare the certificate and register it with the local registrar. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102780.)
- States that funeral directors shall obtain the required information other than medical and health section data from the person or source best qualified to supply this information. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102790.)
- Provides that the certificate of death shall be divided into two sections:
- The first section shall contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business.
- The first section shall contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business.
The second section shall contain those items relating to medical and health data. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102875.)
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown at this time.
COMMENTS: According to the author:
It is estimated by the VA that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. AB 242 will require the Department of Public Health to compile already existing data from the Electronic Death Registration System and submit a report to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently, 21 states are collecting this data and AB 242 would add California to that list. Tracking this information will help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts are having a positive effect, if more attention to this matter is needed in the future and where to allocate existing resources for mental health funding. Our brave servicemen and women deserve this Legislatures much needed attention on this issue.
This bill does two things, requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to indicate whether the deceased person was ever in the Armed Forces, and to compile data into an annual report.
Currently DPH has a check box on the death certificate form that varies in verbiage but says either “yes”, “no”, or “unsure” regarding a person serving in the US Armed Forces. California has a contract with the National Center for Health and Statistics that allows the federal government to access state records and compile data for the National Vital Statistics System. In order to create consistency for data collection, the NCHS provides a standard certificate of death as a model for the states and California has adopted a certificate which conforms closely to the national model. The current national standard includes a section to indicate whether the deceased has served in the Armed Forces and the California State Registrar has already adopted this section into the state certificate, though there is in no legislative state requirement to do so. The first part of this bill is already common practice for DPH and it is unclear if requiring this would change current practice in writing up the death certificates or cause more work for DPH.
The second part of this bill requires DPH to compile data from the Electronic Death Registration System and annually report information to the Legislature and Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the ages, sexes, and nationalities, and methods of suicide of veterans. California has implemented the Electronic Death Registration System to improve the process of death registration and certification. This internet-based program is maintained by the Department of Health Services and allows for better access to information provided by certificates of death. By formally adopting a state requirement that veteran status be included on death certificates and requiring the Department of Public Health to compile this data through the CA-EDRS, this bill will allow the legislature and Department of Veteran Affairs to utilize existing records to analyze veteran suicides in a timelier manner.
Questions for the Legislators:
- If veteran status is unknown by the person writing the death certificate is there a way for a County Veteran Service Officer to assist in finding out the status of the deceased? Is that necessary in order to gather complete information for the annual reports?
- There is currently no date for the report. When should the first report be due to the Legislature? Should there be a sunset date for the annual reports?
Prior Legislation:
- AB 1053 (Mathis), of the 2015-1016 Legislative Session, would have required a person completing a death certificate to indicate whether the deceased was a member of the Armed Forces and whether suicide was the cause of death. AB 1053 died and was returned to the desk pursuant to J.R. 56.
- AB 2550 (Nation), Chapter 857, Statutes of 2002, requires the State Department of Health Services to implement and maintain an Internet-based electronic death registration system.
- AB 1053 (Mathis), of the 2015-1016 Legislative Session, would have required a person completing a death certificate to indicate whether the deceased was a member of the Armed Forces and whether suicide was the cause of death. AB 1053 died and was returned to the desk pursuant to J.R. 56.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
AMVETS- Department of California (Sponsor)
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
American G.I. Forum
American Legion
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California Council of Chapters
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America
National Guard Association of California
Placer County Board of Supervisors
Vietnam Veterans of America- California State Council
Opposition
None on File.
Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550
Date of Hearing: March 14, 2017
Consultant: Adam Smith
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON
Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr., Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:
Author:() – As Ver:March 7, 2017
SUMMARY:
Requires a certificate of death to indicate whether the deceased person was a member of the Armed Forces so that the Department of Public Health may compile data on veteran suicides. Specifically, this bill:
- Requires a certificate of death to indicate whether the deceased person was ever in the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Requires the State Department of Public Health to compile data from the electronic death registration system in order to annually report information to the Legislature and Department of Veteran Affairs regarding the ages, sexes, nationalities, and methods of suicide of veterans.
EXISTING LAW:
- Requires each death to be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found, within eight calendar days after death and prior to any disposition of the human remains. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102775.)
- Requires the State Department of Health Services to implement an Internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102778.)
- Provides that a funeral director, or person acting in lieu thereof, shall prepare the certificate and register it with the local registrar. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102780.)
- States that funeral directors shall obtain the required information other than medical and health section data from the person or source best qualified to supply this information. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102790.)
- Provides that the certificate of death shall be divided into two sections:
- The first section shall contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business.
- The second section shall contain those items relating to medical and health data. (Health & Saf. Code, § 102875.)
- The first section shall contain those items necessary to establish the fact of the death, including personal data concerning decedent including full name, sex, color or race, marital status, name of spouse, date of birth and age at death, birthplace, usual residence, and occupation and industry or business.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Unknown
COMMENTS:
- Author's Statement: According to the author, "It is estimated by the VA that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. AB 242 will require the Department of Public Health to compile already existing data from the Electronic Death Registration System and submit a report to the Legislature and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently, 21 states are collecting this data and AB 242 would add California to that list. Tracking this information will help determine whether or not existing suicide prevention efforts are having a positive effect, if more attention to this matter is needed in the future and where to allocate existing resources for mental health funding. Our brave servicemen and women deserve this Legislatures much needed attention on this issue.”
- Certificates of Death and Data Collection: Death certificates are documents that contain identifying information about the deceased including: birthplace, address, gender, age and occupation; the place and cause of death; the name of the physician or coroner; and the name of the funeral director. The registration of deaths is a state function and states have discretion in determining the content, storage, and regulations concerning certificates of death. However, California has a contract with the National Center for Health and Statistics that allows the federal government to access state records and compile data for the National Vital Statistics System. In order to create consistency for data collection, the NCHS provides a standard certificate of death as a model for the states and California has adopted a certificate which conforms closely to the national model. The current national standard includes a section to indicate whether the deceased has served in the Armed Forces and the California State Registrar has already adopted this section into the state certificate, though there is in no legislative state requirement to do so. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Physicians’ Handbook on Medical Certification of Death (2003 Rev.) pp. 3-4.)
California has implemented the Electronic Death Registration System to improve the process of death registration and certification. This internet-based program is maintained by the Department of Health Services and allows for better access to information provided by certificates of death. By formally adopting a state requirement that veteran status be included on death certificates and requiring the Department of Public Health to compile this data through the CA-EDRS, this bill will allow the legislature and Department of Veteran Affairs to utilize existing records to analyze veteran suicides in a timelier manner. - Argument in Support: According to AMVETS- Department of California and the support registered below, “With veterans committing suicide at a rate of 22 a day, it is critical that we collect this data so that is might lead to decreasing this tragic number. That is why Assembly Bill 242 is vitally important. We strongly support collecting data that will quantify this tragedy and that can lead to improvements to suicide prevention, outreach and other programs.”
- Prior Legislation:
- AB 1053 (Mathis), of the 2015-1016 Legislative Session, would have required a person completing a death certificate to indicate whether the deceased was a member of the Armed Forces and whether suicide was the cause of death. AB 1053 died and was returned to the desk pursuant to J.R. 56.
- AB 2550 (Nation), Chapter 857, Statutes of 2002, requires the State Department of Health Services to implement and maintain an Internet-based electronic death registration system.
- AB 1053 (Mathis), of the 2015-1016 Legislative Session, would have required a person completing a death certificate to indicate whether the deceased was a member of the Armed Forces and whether suicide was the cause of death. AB 1053 died and was returned to the desk pursuant to J.R. 56.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
AMVETS- Department of California (Sponsor)
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
American G.I. Forum
American Legion
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California Council of Chapters
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America
National Guard Association of California
Placer County Board of Supervisors
Vietnam Veterans of America- California State Council
Opposition
None
Analysis Prepared by:
Discussed in Hearing
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