1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; requiring an amended death record when ordered by the court;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 144.221, by adding a subdivision; 
1.4 	390.23.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. CITATION.
 1.7 	This act may be cited as "Ryan's Vital Record Rights Act."

1.8 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 144.221, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
1.9 	read:
1.10 		Subd. 4.Incomplete, incorrect, and amended vital records. If a court finds that a 
1.11 	death record is incomplete or inaccurate, the court may order the registration of a replacement 
1.12 	vital record, and, if necessary, set forth the correct information in the order. Upon receipt 
1.13 	of the order, the registrar shall amend the vital record containing the findings of the court.

1.14 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 390.23, is amended to read:
1.15 	390.23 DEATH RECORDS.
1.16 	(a) No person, other than the county coroner or medical examiner or, for deaths occurring 
1.17 	within a facility licensed by the Department of Corrections, the forensic pathologist who 
1.18 	reviewed the death, shall file or amend the cause or manner of death information with the 
1.19 	state registrar in cases of likely or suspected accidental, suicidal, homicidal, violent, or 
1.20 	mysterious deaths occurring in the county. The forensic pathologist who reviewed the death 
1.21 	of an incarcerated person within a facility licensed by the Department of Corrections may 
2.1 	file or amend the cause or manner of death information with the state registrar. If there is 
2.2 	reasonable proof that a death has occurred, but no body has been found, a judge may direct 
2.3 	the state registrar to register the death with the fact of death information provided by the 
2.4 	court order according to section 144.221, subdivision 3.
2.5 	(b) A court may find that the cause or manner of death information on a death record is 
2.6 	incomplete or inaccurate, and may order the registration of an amendment to the vital record 
2.7 	under section 144.221, subdivision 4.

2.8 	Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.9 	This act is effective the day following final enactment and is effective for death records 
2.10 	registered as of January 1, 2001.