16 Pa. Stat. § 1221-B

Current through Pa Acts 2024-35, 2024-56
Section 1221-B - Sudden death.
(a) General rule.--The coroner shall regard a death as sudden if:
(1) The death occurs without prior medical attendance by an individual who may lawfully execute a certificate of death in this Commonwealth.
(2) Within 24 hours of death the decedent:
(i) was discharged from medical attendance;
(ii) had a change of medical attendance occur; or
(iii) had medical attendance and the medical attendant refuses or is unable to certify the cause of death.
(b)Construction.--This section shall not be construed to affect the coroner's discretion as to whether or not a death was suspicious or to authorize a coroner to investigate a sudden death further than necessary to determine the cause and manner of death.
(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the phrase "medical attendance" shall include treatment or care at a facility providing medical services, including a hospital, nursing home and hospice service.

16 P.S. § 1221-B

Added by P.L. TBD 2018 No. 154, § 22, eff. 12/24/2018.