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DelawareHB 224153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)House

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 AND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF DEATH.

Sponsored By: Kendra Johnson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Physician assistants can certify Delaware deaths

Delaware physician assistants acting under state practice law can pronounce deaths and complete and sign medical death certificates. When no official death investigation is required, the certificate must reach the funeral director within 48 hours after death. For deaths covered by sections 3123(e) or (f), it must be returned as soon as possible. Required medical death certificates must be prepared, certified, and signed electronically by authorized professionals. Attending physicians and advanced practice registered nurses acting under state practice law can also complete certificates. If the attending physician is absent, their designated physician or the institution’s chief medical officer can sign with knowledge of the case’s medical history. The physician assistant council must set rules covering death certification, patient histories, exams, treatment orders, diagnosis, referrals, prescriptions, and telehealth. Physician assistants’ prescribing authority requires renewal every two years through an application to the council.

Registered nurses lose death certification authority

Delaware registered nurses can no longer complete or sign medical death certificates, but they can still pronounce deaths. This restriction does not remove the separate certification authority of advanced practice registered nurses acting under state practice law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kendra Johnson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alonna Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Buckson

    Republican • Senate

  • William J. Carson

    Democratic • House

  • Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha

    Democratic • House

  • Jeff Hilovsky

    Republican • House

  • Valerie Jones Giltner

    Republican • House

  • Kamela T Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Marie Pinkney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nicole Poore

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melanie Ross Levin

    Democratic • House

  • Ray Seigfried

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Snyder-Hall

    Democratic • House

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 20 • No: 0

House vote • 1/15/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    4/23/2026Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

    3/25/2026Senate

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 7 Favorable

    1/21/2026Senate

  4. Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate

    1/15/2026Senate

  5. Passed By House. Votes: 36 YES 5 ABSENT

    1/15/2026House

  6. Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 12 Favorable

    1/14/2026House

  7. Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House

    6/24/2025House

Bill Text

  • Current

    6/24/2025

    HTML

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