The bill modifies Minnesota’s health laws regarding the provision of cause of death information when a medical examiner or coroner declines jurisdiction after determining a death was due to natural causes.

Key Provisions: 1. Designation of Responsibility:
- If a medical examiner or coroner decides a death was due to natural causes and does not take jurisdiction, the cause of death information must be provided by:
1. A physician present at the time of death.
2. A physician or their associate who treated the deceased before death.
3. A physician with direct knowledge of the death and access to the deceased’s medical records.

1. Time Frame for Completion:

   • If no physician meets the first or third criteria, a physician or associate who provided prior treatment has 72 hours to complete the necessary certification after being notified that the medical examiner or coroner will not take jurisdiction.
     

2. Backup Responsibility for Medical Examiners/Coroners:

   • If the assigned physicians fail to provide the cause of death within the required time or refuse to do so, the medical examiner or coroner may step in and provide the information.
     

3. Financial Liability for Non-Compliance:

   • If a medical examiner or coroner has to provide the cause of death information due to physician refusal, they can recover costs from the refusing physician, their associate, or the facility/organization that employed them at the time of refusal.
     

This bill primarily ensures timely and clear documentation of natural death cases while holding physicians and medical institutions accountable for their legal responsibilities.