Relates to issuance of a certificate of death to certain family members

BILL NUMBER:S7073

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to issuance of certificates of death

Purpose

This bill would require the City of New York to issue certified copies of death certificates that include the cause of death in certain situations.

Summary of provisions

Section one of the bill amends section 4104 of the Public Health Law to require New York City to issue a certified copy of a death to the decedent's spouse, children, siblings, parents, or the legal representative of one of the foregoing.

Section two of the bill provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

Currently, New York City issues death certificates without the cause of death being listed. While a death certificate listing the cause of death can be obtained, the requestor would have to know that a special request must be made. Surviving family members have many things on their minds when a loved one passes away. Frequently, they assume that the death certificate will include the cause of death. It is only after they have received a death certificate and tried to use the death certificate to obtain survivor benefits that they discover that they needed to make a special request for a death certificate that included the cause of death.

The cause of death is required for many reasons, including obtaining life insurance proceeds and VA benefits. Forcing a family to have to re-request death certificates because the cause of death was not listed on the previously obtained death certificates does not help them in the grieving process. In fact, it forces them to live through their loss again. At these times, we should be helping families, not making an already difficult situation more difficult.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.