Bill on overdose labels on death certificates

The text as introduced · 286 words

89R3348 CJD-D

By: Shaheen
H.B. No. 2845

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the designation of controlled substance overdose for

purposes of the death certificate.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 193.005(e-1), Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(e-1) The medical certification on a death certificate must

include :

(1) either the term "Fentanyl Poisoning" or the term

"Fentanyl Toxicity" if:

(A) [ (1) ] a toxicology examination reveals a

controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B present in the

body of the decedent in an amount or concentration that is

considered to be lethal by generally accepted scientific standards;

and

(B) [ (2) ] the results of an autopsy performed on

the decedent are consistent with an opioid overdose as the cause of

death ; and

(2) the term "Controlled Substance Overdose" and, if

possible to ascertain, the type of controlled substance present in

the body of the decedent if:

(A) a toxicology examination reveals a

controlled substance, other than a controlled substance listed in

Penalty Group 1-B, present in the body of the decedent in an amount

or concentration that is considered to be lethal by generally

accepted scientific standards; and

(B) the results of an autopsy performed on the

decedent are consistent with a controlled substance overdose as the

cause of death .

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to a death that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act or

a death that occurs before that date but is discovered on or after

the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.