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SB 582

Coroners; the pronouncement of death by paramedics and emergency medical technicians; authorize

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Albers and 1 co-sponsor

SB 582 authorizes Georgia paramedics and EMTs to legally pronounce patient deaths in the field, currently limited to coroners and physicians.

Senate Read and Referred
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Bill Summary · SB 582

Legislative bill overview

SB 582 would authorize paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to pronounce death in Georgia, a responsibility currently restricted to physicians, coroners, and medical examiners. The bill aims to streamline death declaration procedures in emergency settings by allowing qualified pre-hospital medical personnel to make official pronouncements under specified circumstances.

Why is this important

Currently, when paramedics determine a patient is deceased in the field, they cannot legally pronounce death—requiring a coroner or physician to make the official declaration, which can delay notification to families, complicate emergency response protocols, and create administrative inefficiencies. This change would allow faster death declarations, reduce coroner workload in rural areas, and align Georgia with practices already in place in multiple other states.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability and standards: Questions about uniform training requirements, protocols for determining when pronouncement is appropriate, and who bears liability if pronouncement is later questioned
  • Coroner authority: Concerns from coroner associations about reduced jurisdiction, investigative authority, and whether certain deaths should still require coroner involvement (suspicious circumstances, unattended deaths)
  • Rural vs. urban equity: Potential disparity in implementation and oversight between rural areas with limited coroner resources and urban areas with robust medical infrastructure

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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