HB 1442 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in coroner, further providing for coroner's investigation and providing for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

HB 1442 amends Pennsylvania's coroner investigation procedures to specifically address sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) cases. It requires coroners to follow standardized protocols when investigating deaths where epilepsy is a known factor, ensuring consistent documentation and review. This bill directly affects county coroners and their offices by updating their investigative responsibilities under state law. The legislation aims to improve clarity and uniformity in handling these specific death investigations.

Bill status passed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2026

House Passage

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Governor

Introduced May 13, 2025 Last action Jul 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1689 → Printer's No. PN1877 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated to reflect its new status as a reported and amended version, changing the printer's number from 1689 to 1877. Substantive text was added to clarify that the coroner's investigation must be thorough and to explicitly include 'structural causes' when determining if a death was caused by epilepsy.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on coroner investigations for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), but the definition of SUDEP was expanded to explicitly exclude structural causes as an alternative explanation for death.

TECHNICAL

Updated the header and metadata to reflect the bill's progression from the initial version (PN 1689) to the amended version (PN 1877), including a new committee report date.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the term 'autopsy' to 'autopsy INVESTIGATION' to emphasize a broader scope of inquiry beyond just the physical examination.

DEFINITION

Added the phrase 'or suspected SUDEP' to the coroner's duties, ensuring they act on potential cases even if the cause is not yet confirmed.

Inserted a specific clause to exclude 'structural causes' when defining a definite finding of SUDEP, clarifying that physical brain damage is not considered a seizure-related death.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 8, 2026 · House Jun 24, 2025

How they voted

22–0

Passed

Total votes 22

Jun 8, 2026

D Democratic8

8 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican14

14 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 8, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (22-0)

senate

Jun 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Re-reported as committed

upper

Jun 2, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Appropriations

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported as committed

upper

Jun 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to Local Government

upper

Jun 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

lower

Jun 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Re-reported as committed

lower

Jun 23, 2025

Committee

Re-committed to Appropriations

lower

Jun 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Re-reported as committed

lower

Jun 10, 2025

Committee

Re-committed to Rules

lower

Jun 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported as amended

lower

May 13, 2025

Committee

Referred to Health

lower

1 primary · 21 co-sponsors