PennsylvaniaProposal would require coroners to check epilepsy deaths for SUDEP
The proposal would have Pennsylvania coroners review sudden unexplained deaths of people with epilepsy and share information with families when autopsy findings fit SUDEP.
What it does
Coroners would investigate sudden unexplained deaths of people diagnosed with epilepsy to decide whether an autopsy or inquest should be conducted.
For autopsies, coroners would check whether a death resulted directly from a seizure or epilepsy.
If autopsy findings fit known or suspected SUDEP, coroners would note it on the death certificate when appropriate and give next of kin contact information for a group that studies these deaths.
Argument forFamilies may receive a clearer record of a suspected epilepsy-related death and contact information for a group that studies these deaths.
Argument againstCoroners could face added work reviewing sudden unexplained deaths and checking whether an autopsy is needed, which may take time and resources.
More detail
A coroner must investigate a sudden unexplained death in a person diagnosed with epilepsy to decide whether to conduct an autopsy or inquest. This applies when the person was diagnosed with epilepsy and the death was sudden and unexplained.
A coroner conducting an autopsy must check whether the death resulted directly from a seizure or epilepsy. This applies to autopsies conducted by coroners in Pennsylvania counties of every class. The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.
When autopsy findings fit known or suspected SUDEP, the coroner must note it on the death certificate when appropriate and give the next of kin contact information for a group that documents and studies these deaths. This applies to next of kin when an autopsy's findings fit known or suspected SUDEP. A death certificate should identify SUDEP as the cause or suspected cause only when appropriate. SUDEP refers to a death in someone previously diagnosed with epilepsy that is not due to trauma, drowning, status epilepticus, or another known cause; there is often evidence of a seizure. A definite finding requires clinical criteria and an autopsy showing no alternative cause. The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 8Act No. 55 of 2026Latest
- Oct 8Approved by the Governor Josh ShapiroBecame Law
- Oct 5Presented to the GovernorTo Governor
- Oct 5Signed in Senate
- Sep 30Signed in House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE. Result: pass.Upper
- Sep 30Third consideration and final passagePassed Senate
- Sep 29Removed from table
- Jul 12Laid on the table (Pursuant to Senate Rule 9)
- Jun 8Re-reported as committedMinor
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Appropriations): Re-Reported as Committed. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 2Re-referred to AppropriationsMinor
- Jun 2Second considerationMinor
- Apr 21First considerationMinor
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Local Government): Reported as Committed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 21Reported as committedMinor
- 2025
- Jun 27Referred to Local GovernmentMinor
- Jun 24Third consideration and final passagePassed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Appropriations): Re-report Bill As Committed. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 24Re-reported as committedMinor
- Jun 23Re-committed to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Rules): Re-report Bill As Committed. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 23Second considerationMinor
- Jun 23Re-reported as committedMinor
- Jun 10Re-committed to RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Health): Report Bill As Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Committee vote (Health): Adopt Amendment A00781. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 10First considerationMinor
- Jun 10Reported as amendedMajor
- May 13Referred to HealthIntroduced
Healthcare