California Senate Bill 1071

Senate Bill 1071 would provide a legal mechanism to amend the manner of death on a death certificate after a court judgment to ensure that the manner of death is not classified as an accident when there is a legal finding of homicide.

Key Provisions of SB 1071

Death Certificate Revision After Court Decision
Family members can ask the State Registrar to issue a new death certificate when a judicial determination changes the manner of death that was originally recorded.
Requirements for Request
Requests must be written and include a certified court record showing the new manner of death.
Registrar Action
The State Registrar reviews the request and, if criteria are met, issues a new certificate that supplants the old one.
Handling Prior Death Certificates
Local offices must send previously issued certificates to the state or legally seal them if they can’t be transmitted.

Context

As introduced on February 13, 2026, SB 1071 is still in the early stages of the legislative process (e.g., first reading and referral to committee).

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CA Senate Bill 1071 Information

The Power of Mortality Data

This report details how national mortality statistics convert individual death records into powerful public health insights.

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SB-1071 Fact Sheet

Download the official California Senate Bill 1071 Fact Sheet.

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SB-1071 Hoja Informativa

Descargue la Hoja Informativa oficial del Proyecto de Ley del Senado de California 1071 en español.

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SB-1071 Talking Points

Get your copy of SB-1071 Talking Points as a PDF. Downloading these talking points equips individuals with the knowledge to engage in meaningful conversations and advocate for change.

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SB-1071 Puntos Clave

Obtén tu copia en PDF de los Puntos Clave sobre la SB-1071. Descargar este documento te brinda la información necesaria para participar en conversaciones significativas y alzar la voz para impulsar un cambio.

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Write to the CA Senate Committee

Letter Template for Families Directly Impacted

Those who have been directly impacted can personalize the letter by sharing their experiences, urging the committee to pass SB 1071 so that official records reflect the truth about how their loved one died.

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Letter Template for Other Advocates and Supporters

Use this template to send a letter to the CA Senate Committee supporting SB 1071. Supporters can personalize the letter to explain why accurate death certificate records matter and respectfully urge the committee to pass SB 1071.

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How to Submit your Letter: A Complete Guide

This step-by-step guide explains how to register for the CA Legislature’s Position Letter Portal and submit a letter on a bill, including creating an account and uploading a position letter to the appropriate committee or office.

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