AB 585: Electronic death registration system.

California · Assembly · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified February 3, 2026

What AB 585 does, verified February 3, 2026

<p>The bill aims to update the electronic death registration system to use modern technology, including computer and mobile telephone applications. The state registrar will be required to use this updated technology to upgrade the system. In addition, the system will be made accessible to certain individuals, such as a physician, medical examiner, and local registrar, in addition to the individuals currently responsible for completing a certificate of death. This change will improve the efficiency and accuracy of death registration processes.</p>

Bill journey

✓IntroducedComplete

2In CommitteeCurrent

3First Chamber FloorPending

4Second ChamberPending

5GovernorPending

6ChapteredPending

Last action: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. (2026-02-02)Alert me

Author and sponsors

Asm. Joe PattersonAuthor · California State Assembly

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Recent actions12 total · showing 5

Feb. 02, 2026	From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Jan. 31, 2026	Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
May. 23, 2025	In committee: Held under submission.
May. 21, 2025	Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 1627.)
May. 21, 2025	Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 1627.)

Full action history, 7 earlier actionsConnect Plus

Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 12, 2025 · 476 words

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 585

Introduced by Assembly Member Patterson

February 12, 2025

An act to amend Sections 102778 and 102785 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to death registration.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 585, as introduced, Patterson. Electronic death registration system.

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 designates persons responsible for completing a certificate of death and the required contents of the certificate.

Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to implement an internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information. Existing law authorizes the State Registrar to incorporate computer or telephone facsimile technology, or both, in the statewide program of death registration.

This bill would require the State Registrar to use updated technology, including computer and mobile telephone applications, to upgrade the system. The bill would also require that specified individuals, including a physician, medical examiner, and local registrar, have the ability to access the electronic death registration system in addition to the individuals currently responsible for completing a certificate of death.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 102778 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

102778.

(a) On or before January 1, 2005, the department shall implement an ~~Internet-based~~ internet-based electronic death registration system for the creation, storage, and transfer of death registration information.

(b) The electronic death registration system implemented pursuant to this section shall protect the proper use of the death registration information created, stored, and transferred within the system.

(c) The electronic death registration system that is implemented pursuant to this section shall be subject to any limitation placed on the accessibility and release of personally identifying information contained in those death records by any other provision of law or subsequently enacted legislation.

(d) In addition to the individuals currently responsible for completing a certificate of death and the required contents under this article, the electronic death registration system shall be accessible by health care providers, including physicians, medical examiners, and local registrars.

SEC. 2.

Section 102785 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

102785.

(a) The State ~~Registrar, at his or her discretion, may incorporate computer or telephone facsimile technology, or both, in~~ Registrar shall use updated technology, including computer and mobile telephone applications, to upgrade the statewide program of death and fetal death registration, including, but not limited to, the issuing of permits for disposition of human remains.

~~Nothing in this section shall~~

(b) This section does not limit the ability of local districts to file certificates of death and fetal death manually within the local registration districts.

Text of AB 585 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions