New York Becomes the 18th State Expressly Authorizing NPs to Sign Death Certificates

摘要

On July 20, 2011, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation authorizing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates into law! The legislation, which will become effective 6 months from the date the bill was enacted into law, is now known as Chapter 153 of the Laws of 2011. This legislation was advanced by the Nurse Practitioner Association New York State (NPA) beginning in 2003. In 2006, the legislation was passed by both houses of the NYS Legislature, only to be vetoed by the governor. Disappointed yet undaunted, the NPA forged on to overcome the many obstacles, challenges, and issues faced.