Publications
New Law Permits Registered Nurses To Sign Death Certificates When They Are Authorized To Pronounce Death
Effective October 1, 2004, registered nurses (“RNs”) may sign the medical portion of a death certificate when they have been authorized to pronounce death of nursing home, hospice or home care patients. The new law, Public Act No. 04-255, An Act Concerning Funeral Directors and Vital Records, also permits advance practice nurses (“APRNs”) and physician assistants (“PAs”) to sign the medical portion of death certificates under certain circumstances.