SB 1071: Death certificates.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law requires that each death be registered with the local registrar of births and deaths in the district in which the death was officially pronounced or the body was found. Existing law establishes the required contents of the death certificate, including, but not limited to, the decedent’s name, sex, race, and the disease or conditions leading directly to death and antecedent causes, among other relevant identifying and medical information.

When the facts are incorrectly stated in a certificate of death, including a typographical error, existing law authorizes a person to make an affidavit under oath stating the changes necessary to make the record correct. Existing law requires that specified information be filed with the state or local registrar, and if the amendments are accepted, the State Registrar is required to transmit copies of the amendment to the county recorder in whose offices the copies of the original record and information are on file. Existing law requires the amendment to be filed with and become a part of the record to which it pertains.

This bill would authorize a family member of the deceased, when a judicial determination is made on the manner of a deceased person’s death, to submit a written request to the State Registrar for a new death certificate reflecting the newly determined manner of death. This bill would require the request to be supported by a certified copy of the plea, verdict, statement of decision, or a judgment showing that the manner of death was determined by a finder of fact to be different than stated on the existing certificate. The bill would require the State Registrar to review the request and issue a new death certificate if specified conditions are met, including, but not limited to, that the request identifies the determination of manner of death in the certified court record. The bill would require the State Registrar to transmit copies of the new death certificate and the new certificate will supplant any previously issued certificate for the deceased person. The bill would require the local registrar to transmit any copies of the previously issued death certificate to the State Registrar if it is practical to do so and if it is not practical to do so, seal a cover over the copy, as specified.

The bill would specify that a plea, verdict, statement of decision, or judgment reflects a judicial determination that the manner of death was homicide if it shows criminal responsibility or civil liability for the death of the deceased person. The bill would authorize a family member of the deceased to include additional certified court records with their request to permit the State Registrar to determine the manner of death. The bill would require a determination by the State Registrar to be based solely on the request and the submitted certified court documents.

By imposing new duties on local registrars, this bill would impose a state-mandated program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7 · Republican 13

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 14, 2026May 14 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.
3. May 4, 2026May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
4. April 28, 2026Set for hearing May 4.
5. April 23, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6. April 22, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 3978.) (April 21).
7. April 10, 2026Set for hearing April 21.
8. April 9, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 9. Noes 0. Page 3793.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
9. March 19, 2026Set for hearing April 8.
10. February 26, 2026Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD.
11. February 17, 2026From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 16.
12. February 13, 2026Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.