An Act amending the act of June 29, 1953 (P.L.304, No.66), known as the Vital Statistics Law of 1953, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in death and fetal death registration, providing for pronouncement of death by a practical nurse; and, in records, further providing for fees for copies.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Vital Statistics Law to allow licensed practical nurses working in hospice care to officially pronounce death under specific conditions. To qualify, the patient must be under hospice care with a valid Do Not Resuscitate order, and the nurse must complete required training on assessing vital signs and postmortem care. The law clarifies that while nurses can declare death based on the cessation of breathing and heartbeat, they cannot determine the cause of death, which remains the responsibility of physicians or coroners. Additionally, the bill expands fee waivers for certified copies of death records to include a broader range of military personnel, veterans, and their dependents.