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 173
[2023 Senate Bill 175]
Encouraged Training for Persons
Authorized to Medically Certify
Cause of Death on Death Record
BACKGROUND
State law requires a death record to contain a medical certification, which provides the cause of death,
manner of death, injury-related data, and any other medically related data that is collected as required
by the state registrar at the Department of Health Services (DHS). Depending on the circumstances of
the death, the medical certification may be completed and signed by a medical examiner, coroner, or
physician, or one of various types of specified medical professionals with access to a decedent’s medical
history. Death records are registered with DHS’s Office of Vital Records, which is supervised by the
state registrar.
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 173
2023 Wisconsin Act 173 requires DHS to promote and encourage appropriate training for any person
who is authorized to complete and sign a medical certification under state law. The act further requires
DHS to compile a recommended set of training materials and resources related to medical certification
of deaths, which must be accessible to any person authorized to sign a medical certification.
Effective date: March 24, 2024
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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