Electronic death registration system.
In terms of legislative impact, AB 585 will enable a wider array of healthcare professionals, including physicians and medical examiners, to access the electronic system for death registration. This accessibility aims to expedite the documentation process in a crucial area of public health and ensure that vital records are managed effectively and securely. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the protection of personally identifiable information stored within the registration system, reinforcing the importance of privacy amidst technological advancements.
Assembly Bill 585, introduced by Assembly Member Patterson, aims to modernize the existing death registration process in California. The bill proposes updates to Sections 102778 and 102785 of the Health and Safety Code, which govern the registration of deaths. Primarily, it mandates the implementation of an improved electronic death registration system that utilizes contemporary technology, including computer and mobile phone applications, to facilitate the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information. This enhancement is designed to streamline the process and make it more efficient for healthcare providers and local registrars involved in death certification.
Notably, AB 585 focuses on updating an existing system that has remained relatively unchanged since its initial implementation. As electronic registration becomes increasingly important in a digital society, some stakeholders may raise concerns about the implementation costs or the technical readiness of local districts to adapt to these changes. Additionally, there may be discussions around the balance between technological efficiency and the necessity of maintaining manual filing options for local districts that may not be fully equipped for electronic processing.