Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB981: Death certificate; require physician, APRNs or physician assistants who attended to decedent's care to sign.
Status: Failed, March 3, 2026
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE PHYSICIAN, ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE OR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTENDING TO THE CARE OF THE DECEDENT TO CERTIFY TO THE CAUSE OF DEATH AND SIGN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IF THE DEATH DOES NOT AFFECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST; TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-57-13 AND 41-61-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to require the physician, advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant primarily responsible for attending to the care of the decedent to certify to the cause of death and sign the death certificate if the death does not affect the public interest; to amend sections 41-57-13 and 41-61-63, mississippi code of 1972, to conform to the provisions of this act; and for related purposes.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE PHYSICIAN, ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE OR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTENDING TO THE CARE OF THE DECEDENT TO CERTIFY TO THE CAUSE OF DEATH AND SIGN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IF THE DEATH DOES NOT AFFECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST; TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-57-13 AND 41-61-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. The physician, advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant primarily responsible for attending to the care of the decedent before the death of the decedent shall certify to the cause of death and sign the death certificate if the death does not affect the public interest as defined in Sections 41-61-53(e) and 41-61-59. SECTION 2. Section 41-57-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 41-57-13. (1) Death certificate errors in the recording of personal information of the deceased may be corrected by affidavit of the informant and the funeral director of the funeral home that disposed of the body. Items in the medical certification or of a *HR26/R1110* H. B. No. 981 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR26/R1110 PAGE 1 (RF\KW) medical nature may be amended upon receipt of the specified amendment form from (a) the person originally certifying the information …
Sponsors
- Currie, Becky (R, 92) · primary sponsor
- Scoggin, Donnie (R, 89)
Latest actions
- : Died In Committee
- : Referred To Public Health and Welfare
- : Transmitted To Senate
- : Passed
- : Title Suff Do Pass
- : Referred To Public Health and Human Services
Votes
- Passed (February 5, 2026): 105 yea, 12 nay, passed
Subjects: Death certificate
Common questions
- What is HB981?
- HB981 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Death certificate; require physician, APRNs or physician assistants who attended to decedent's care to sign.
- What does HB981 do?
- In its own words: An act to require the physician, advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant primarily responsible for attending to the care of the decedent to certify to the cause of death and sign the death certificate if the death does not affect the public interest; to amend sections 41-57-13 and 41-61-63, mississippi code of 1972, to conform to the provisions of this act; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB981?
- Failed as of March 3, 2026. Latest action: Died In Committee (March 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB981?
- Currie, Becky (R, 92), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB981?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0981.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.