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Bill

A 1351

Permits midwives and physician assistants to certify the cause of death on a fetal death certificate

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and 9 co-sponsors

Allows midwives and physician assistants to certify the cause of fetal death on fetal death certificates, expanding who can sign and potentially streamline processing.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · A 1351

Summary of A 1351: Permits midwives and physician assistants to certify the cause of death on a fetal death certificate

What the bill would do

  • Authorizes midwives and physician assistants to certify the cause of death on a fetal death certificate. The bill’s title indicates an expansion of authority beyond currently authorized professionals to complete this certification.

Key provisions (as stated)

  • Adds midwives and physician assistants to the list of professionals who may certify the cause of death on a fetal death certificate.
  • The bill’s text does not specify additional requirements or limitations beyond authorizing this certification role to the two groups; if enacted, implementing regulations or training requirements may be established separately by the relevant health or vital records authorities.

Who would be affected

  • Midwives and physician assistants: would gain authority to sign certificates of cause of fetal death.
  • Hospitals, birthing centers, and other facilities that issue fetal death certificates.
  • Local and state vital records offices and health departments responsible for recording fetal deaths.
  • Families and next of kin related to fetal death documentation processes (through changes in who can certify the cause of death).

Legislative history and timeline

  • Introduced: January 9, 2025
  • Status: REFERRED TO HEALTH
  • Key actions:
    • January 9, 2025: Referred to Health
    • February 24, 2025: Reported
    • February 27, 2025: Advanced to Third Reading (Cal. 28)
    • March 3, 2025: Passed the Assembly
    • March 3, 2025: Delivered to the Senate and Referred to Health
  • This indicates rapid movement through the early stages of the legislative process, with Assembly passage and transmission to the Senate occurring on March 3, 2025.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas
  • Co-sponsors: John T. McDonald III, MaryJane Shimsky, Dana Levenberg, Amanda Septimo, Rebecca Seawright, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Karines Reyes, Harvey Epstein

Related legislation

  • A 9093 (prior-session)
  • A 7390 (prior-session)
  • S 5222 (companion; listed twice, indicating cross-chamber companion bills)

Potential impact and considerations

  • Administrative efficiency: could streamline fetal death certificate processing by expanding eligible certifiers.
  • Data quality and consistency: may require standardization of certification practices across midwives, PAs, and other certifiers.
  • Training and oversight: potential need for credentialing, guidelines, or supervision to ensure accurate determination and documentation of cause of death.
  • Implementation timeline: pending Senate action and any implementing regulations.

This summary provides the essential purpose, scope, and procedural status of A 1351 as currently reported. Further details will emerge from the bill’s full text and any Senate committee analyses or amendments.

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

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