Health and Safety Code section 102850

(a)

A physician and surgeon, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, funeral director, or other person shall immediately notify the coroner if they have knowledge of a death that occurred or have charge of a body in which death occurred under any of the following circumstances:

(1)

Without medical attendance.

(2)

During the continued absence of the attending physician and surgeon.

(3)

If the attending physician and surgeon, nurse practitioner, or the physician assistant is unable to state the cause of death.

(4)

If suicide is suspected.

(5)

Following an injury or an accident.

(6)

Under circumstances as to afford a reasonable ground to suspect that the death was caused by the criminal act of another.

(b)

A person who does not notify the coroner as required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c)

This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026.

Source: Section 102850, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=102850.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 15, 2025).

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Verified:
Dec. 15, 2025

§ 102850's source at ca​.gov