Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) announced today that Senate Bill 1071 has passed the Senate Health Committee with bipartisan support, marking an important step forward in ensuring California’s official records reflect the truth when a court determines a death was a homicide.
Yesterday, Senator Ochoa Bogh held a press conference in support of SB 1071, standing alongside advocates and families who have experienced firsthand the pain of losing a loved one and the importance of ensuring the truth is reflected in official records.
“Yesterday's vote is a meaningful step toward giving families the dignity they deserve,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “When a court has determined that a life was taken, the official record should reflect that truth. This bill ensures that families are not left with a permanent record that contradicts the outcome of the justice system.”
Under current law, next of kin may request certain corrections to a death certificate, including typographical errors or amendments to the cause of death with a physician’s certification. However, there is no process to amend the manner of death, even when a court of law has ruled that the death was a homicide.
Death certificates list both a cause of death and a manner of death. While the cause describes the medical reason for death, the manner is limited to five categories: homicide, accident, natural, suicide, or undetermined. In cases involving drunk or impaired drivers, medical examiners often classify the manner of death as an accident because they do not yet have access to all the facts that later come out in court. When a court ultimately finds the driver guilty of homicide, the death certificate remains unchanged.
SB 1071 would allow a victim’s next of kin, after all appellate rights have been exhausted, to request an amendment so the official death certificate reflects the court’s legal determination.
“When a court of law determines that a death was caused by the wrongful or unlawful conduct of another person, the official record should reflect that truth. Accountability in the courtroom should be matched by accuracy in our public records,” said Matt Capelouto, Co-Founder of Not an Accident (NAC).
“Families deserve the truth, not euphemisms. Impaired driving isn’t just an accident; it’s a choice. My daughter’s death was not an accident—it was a homicide. That’s how it should be reflected on her death certificate,” said Candace Lightner, Co-Founder of Not an Accident (NAC).
Accurate death certificate data does more than provide closure to families. The information is transmitted to the State Registrar and the California Department of Public Health–Vital Records, where it forms the basis for certified death certificates and statewide vital statistics. Those statistics directly inform public health research, guide criminal justice policy decisions, and shape statewide data systems that lawmakers and agencies rely on when addressing impaired driving and other preventable deaths
When a death that has been legally determined to be a homicide remains categorized as an accident in state records, it affects how trends are measured, how resources are allocated, and how the scope of impaired driving is understood across California. SB 1071 helps ensure that California’s public health data and criminal justice statistics accurately reflect the reality of these cases.
Drunk and impaired driving deaths are on the rise in California, and accurate classification is critical, not only for families seeking recognition and justice, but for policymakers working to prevent future tragedies.
“This bill fills a critical victims’ rights and public-data gap. Once a court determines how a victim died, families and the public should not face conflicting record,” said Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin. The records should reflect the truth. SB 1071 creates a clear path to align death certificates with judicial findings, honor victims, and ensure reliable public data.”
SB 1071 is sponsored by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and advocates with the “Not an Accident” campaign.
The bill is scheduled for its next hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Watch video of the press conference here.
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