What's happening
This bill requires New York death certificates to specify the opioid causing an overdose death, if known, and other related details.
Why it matters
More detailed reporting on opioid deaths. By requiring the death certificate to specify the exact opioid involved (if known), the law will generate more precise data, which can help health officials and researchers better understand which substances are contributing most to overdose deaths.
Potential for improved public health responses. Having information on the specific drugs involved in overdose deaths allows for more targeted interventions, funding, and educational campaigns addressing the most dangerous or prevalent opioids.
May affect families and legal matters. Clear documentation of the specific opioid in death records can help families seeking closure, support legal proceedings (such as insurance or criminal cases), and clarify public records.
Enhances data for policymakers and law enforcement. This detailed cause-of-death information can guide lawmakers and law enforcement in tracking illicit drug trends, shaping drug policy, and allocating resources to areas most affected by particular opioids.
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Who cares
Headline styles
List Opioid Overdose on Death Certificates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
13 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Substituted by S1668
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.129
- Rules report cal.129
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
List Opioids on Death Certificates
Signed by Governor · Sponsor John E. Brooks
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4915
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 5, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. JEAN-PIERRE, DICKENS, BARRON, JONES, GLICK, MOSLEY, BUCHWALD, JAFFEE, HYNDMAN, COLTON, GALEF, McDONOUGH, WALKER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GIGLIO, SIMON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to death certificates for persons whose death is caused by an opioid overdose
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (d) of subdivision 4 of section 4141 of the public health law, as amended by chapter 153 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
(d) Where a death is caused by an opioid overdose, such information shall be indicated on the certificate, including, if known to the person completing the death certificate, the specific opioid that caused the death of the decedent, along with any other related information as the commissioner may require.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06849-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.