HARRISBURG — The state Senate passed legislation Tuesday by a 39-10 vote that will improve transparency and eliminate inconsistencies in how COVID-19 deaths are being reported in Pennsylvania.

State Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, sponsored Senate Bill 1164 in April.

The bill will ensure that county coroners are notified of all suspected deaths in their jurisdiction caused by the coronavirus and other contagious diseases that constitute a health emergency.

State law requires county coroners to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding any death — including those due to contagious disease — except in cases of death by natural causes.

But many coroners are not being notified of suspected COVID-19 deaths in hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities because the Department of Health is interpreting the law differently.

That leads to discrepancies between the number of COVID-19 deaths reported by the Department of Health and the number reported by county coroners, creating confusion among the general public.

“We can’t have two different sets of numbers of deaths from COVID-19. These reporting discrepancies throw a wrench into every community’s efforts to plan for emergencies,” Ward said. “All COVID-19 deaths should be reported to the coroners and medical examiners not only to ensure accurate reporting of the deaths, but also for the safety and well-being of our communities.”

“This bill will serve to protect the residents of Pennsylvania and especially EMS, law enforcement and other first responders who have contact with decedents who may have died from contagious diseases that constitute a public hazard. Reporting these deaths to coroners and medical examiners will increase the accuracy of the death data,” said Charles E. Kiessling Jr., Lycoming County Coroner and President of the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association. “Their boots-on-the-ground working relationships with their local physicians and other medical certifiers will provide more detailed information regarding each of these deaths, rather than just the information placed in the electronic death registry system or on a death certificate.”