An Act amending Title 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in coroner, further providing for coroner's investigation and providing for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends Pennsylvania law to require coroners to investigate sudden, unexplained deaths in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. Specifically, it mandates that coroners consider whether a death may be related to SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and to include an inquiry about seizures in autopsies. The bill also directs coroners to document and share information about SUDEP deaths with next of kin and a third-party entity to help identify risk factors and causes.
Key provisions
- Coroners must investigate sudden, unexplained deaths in individuals with epilepsy.
- Autopsies for these deaths must include an inquiry into whether a seizure or epilepsy was a contributing factor.
- Coroners must indicate SUDEP as a cause or suspected cause of death on the death certificate when appropriate.
- Coroners must provide next of kin with contact information for a third-party entity that analyzes SUDEP deaths.
- The law applies to all counties in Pennsylvania.
- The definition of SUDEP includes deaths not due to trauma, drowning, status epilepticus, or other known causes, but with evidence of an associated seizure.
- Autopsies must rule out other potential causes of death, such as stroke or drug intoxication.
Who is affected
- Coroners
- Families of individuals who die from epilepsy
- Healthcare providers treating individuals with epilepsy
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 1689 Html
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Sponsors
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9 on record
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