Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Prepared by: Amber Otis, Senior Staff Attorney April 1, 2024
2023 Wisconsin Act 171
[2023 Senate Bill 173]
Additional Occupation
Information on Death Record
Wisconsin law requires that a death record be filed with the state whenever a death occurs. The death
record must include various information about the decedent, including information for statistical use
only that is collected on the standard death record form recommended by the federal agency
responsible for national vital statistics (currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),
along with any other data as directed by the state registrar, including race, educational background, and
health risk behavior.
2023 Wisconsin Act 171 requires that, beginning on September 1, 2025, a death record include data on
the decedent’s usual occupation in a format that allows inclusion of up to two additional occupations, if
applicable.
Effective date: The act takes effect on March 24, 2024, but the act’s new format requirements do not
apply until September 1, 2025.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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