Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 68.

This bill prohibits a policy of accident and sickness insurance from being issued, delivered, or amended in this state, on or after January 1, 2024, if the policy contains a provision that limits, excludes, or denies payments of benefits to or on behalf of the insured because the insured or a covered dependent is injured or dies as the result of accidental fentanyl poisoning.<br /> <br /> DEATH REGISTRATION<br /> <br /> Present law provides that a death certificate for each death that occurs in this state must be filed with the office of vital records or as otherwise directed by the state registrar within five days after death and prior to final disposition, or as prescribed by regulations of the department of health, and then must be registered if complete. <br /> <br /> Present law also provides that, when inquiry is required, the medical examiner must determine the cause of death, and complete and sign the medical certification within 48 hours after taking charge of the case. On or before January 1, 2013, the commissioner of health must establish by rule a protocol for use by medical examiners in cases involving death resulting from opiate, illegal, or illicit drug overdose, that requires an appropriate report.<br /> <br /> However, this bill adds to present law that an opiate, illegal, or illicit drug overdose must not be listed as the cause of death when fentanyl is determined to be the cause of or a contributing factor in the death. In such a case, the cause of death must be listed as accidental fentanyl poisoning.<br /> <br /> DEFINITION OF ACCIDENTIAL FENTANYL POISONING<br /> <br /> This bill defines "accidental fentanyl poisoning" as an acute condition, including extreme physical illness, coma, unresponsiveness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, or death resulting from the consumption of fentanyl, or another substance with which fentanyl was combined.<br />