Section 641.97.8. Medical certifier.

         97.8(1) Only an Iowa-licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or medical examiner shall certify to the cause and manner of death.

         97.8(2) If the medical certifier is unavailable, an alternate medical certifier may complete the cause and manner of death when:

            a.               The alternate medical certifier has access to the medical history of the case;

            b.               The alternate medical certifier views the deceased at the time of death or after death has occurred; and

            c.               The death is from natural causes.

         97.8(3) In all other cases in which a medical certifier is unavailable, the medical examiner shall prepare the medical certification of cause of death.

         97.8(4) The medical certifier who signs the medical certification on a certificate of death shall be entitled to view the death record through the electronic statewide vital records system for up to one year from the date of death.

[ARC 0483C, IAB 12/12/12, effective 1/16/13; see Delay note at end of chapter; ARC 2276C, IAB 12/9/15, effective 1/13/16]