relative to medical examiner's certificates and medical certification of the death record.

SB 146 updates procedures for certifying deaths in Massachusetts by clarifying which medical professionals can issue death certificates and when medical examiners must be involved. It directly affects physicians, medical examiners, and funeral homes handling death records. The bill requires physicians to use standardized medical certification forms and mandates medical examiners to review certain deaths (like unexpected or violent cases) before finalizing records. Signed into law on June 10, 2025, it takes effect August 9, 2025, standardizing death certification across the state.