PennsylvaniaHB 18512025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

An Act amending the act of June 29, 1953 (P.L.304, No.66), known as the Vital Statistics Law of 1953, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in death and fetal death registrati . . .on, further providing for information for certificates and for coroner referrals.

Sponsored By: Gina H. Curry (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More clinicians and clearer coroner rules

The law lets more clinicians sign death and fetal death certificates. For a death, the attending doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant can certify. A hospital staff dentist may certify in limited cases. Death must be in the hospital and the person admitted on the dental service. For a fetal death, the attending doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified nurse midwife can certify. If the clinician is an immediate family member, another qualified clinician must sign. If none is available or willing, the county coroner or a nearby county coroner must handle it. Local registrars or those in charge of burial or removal must refer cases to the coroner in set situations. Refer when no attending clinician exists, the clinician cannot give needed data, or the death seems sudden, violent, suspicious, or not natural. Refer also when the potential certifier is an immediate family member. The coroner must investigate right away and provide the needed information. A coroner may not sign for someone in their immediate family. These changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Gina H. Curry

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Ana Tiburcio

    Democratic • House

  • Ben Waxman

    Democratic • House

  • Benjamin V. Sanchez

    Democratic • House

  • Carol Hill-Evans

    Democratic • House

  • Carol Kazeem

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Pielli

    Democratic • House

  • Danielle Friel Otten

    Democratic • House

  • G. Roni Green

    Democratic • House

  • Jacklyn Rusnock

    Democratic • House

  • Jeremy Shaffer

    Republican • House

  • Joe Webster

    Democratic • House

  • Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz

    Democratic • House

  • Joseph C. Hohenstein

    Democratic • House

  • La'Tasha D. Mayes

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa A. Borowski

    Democratic • House

  • Manuel Guzman Jr.

    Democratic • House

  • Melissa Cerrato

    Democratic • House

  • Melissa L. Shusterman

    Democratic • House

  • Nikki Rivera

    Democratic • House

  • Steven R. Malagari

    Democratic • House

  • Tarah Probst

    Democratic • House

  • Timothy P. Kearney

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 301 • No: 0

committee vote • 6/24/2026

13 0

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

House Bill 1851 PN2716, FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 199 • No: 0 • Other: 1

committee vote • 3/25/2026

37 0

Yes: 37 • No: 0

committee vote • 12/17/2025

26 0

Yes: 26 • No: 0

committee vote • 12/17/2025

26 0

Yes: 26 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act No. 34 of 2026

    7/20/2026Governor
  2. Approved by the Governor

    7/20/2026Governor
  3. Presented to the Governor

    7/12/2026Senate
  4. Signed in Senate

    7/12/2026Senate
  5. Signed in House

    7/12/2026Senate
  6. Third consideration and final passage (49-1)

    7/12/2026Senate
  7. Re-reported as committed

    7/10/2026Senate
  8. Re-referred to Appropriations

    6/25/2026Senate
  9. Second consideration

    6/25/2026Senate
  10. First consideration

    6/24/2026Senate
  11. Reported as committed

    6/24/2026Senate
  12. Referred to Health & Human Services

    4/1/2026Senate
  13. Third consideration and final passage (199-0)

    3/25/2026House
  14. Re-reported as committed

    3/25/2026House
  15. Re-committed to Appropriations

    3/24/2026House
  16. Second consideration

    3/24/2026House
  17. Removed from table

    3/23/2026House
  18. Laid on the table

    12/17/2025House
  19. First consideration

    12/17/2025House
  20. Reported as amended

    12/17/2025House
  21. Referred to Health

    9/10/2025House

Bill Text

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