Public Health Law authorizing certified nurse practitioners to sign death certificates effective 01/16/2012

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law July 2011 (BILL A01747/ S 325) that amends the Public Health Law to authorize certified nurse practitioners to sign death certificates in like manner as physicians, and imposes on nurses practitioners the same duties as physicians for completing a death certificate. The law extends the scope of practice for nurse practitioners in that those individuals are now sanctioned to certifiy the facts of death for the deceased, provide the appropriate medical information required, and sign the medical certificate of death. Nurse practitioners are required to comply with documentation and registration of the official records that may be needed for legal, judicial or other purposes.

The law becomes effective January 16, 2012.

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