Insurance; certified certificate of death; small life insurance policies; proof; sworn statement; effective date.

HB 4297 simplifies proof of death for life insurance claims on policies valued at $15,000 or less. Instead of requiring a standard death certificate, beneficiaries may submit a certified death certificate (showing cause of death) along with a sworn statement from the funeral director who handled burial services confirming the death's authenticity. This change directly affects beneficiaries of small life insurance policies and funeral directors who provide the required statement. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, streamlining claims processing for low-value policies.