Overview

• California passed legislation prohibiting coroners from listing 'excited delirium' on death certificates.
• 'Excited delirium' has been criticized as rooted in racism and used to justify deaths in police custody.
• Major U.S. medical associations have dismissed 'excited delirium' as unscientific and lacking evidence.
• The controversial term has been associated with deaths of mostly Black and brown people during police encounters.
• California's ban comes amid scrutiny of law enforcement tactics following the murder of George Floyd.