CDA R3 legalAuthenticator

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Submitted by: Rick Geimer	Revision date: December 11, 2009
Submitted date: December 11, 2009	Change request ID: <<Change Request ID>>

Issue

CDA R2 does not require an assignedPerson element inside legalAuthenticator, leading some to believe that is is ok for the legalAuthenticator to be an organization.

Recommendation

• Require assignedPerson to be present, and make it explicitly clear in the text that the legalAuthenticator must be a person.

Rationale

Organizations cannot legally sign a document. A document must always be signed by a person, even if this is just an officer at an organization (for example, pay checks).

Resolution

March 23 SDWG teleconference: will clarify in narrative that it must be person. role.ID (that identifies the person in the role of ASSIGNED) has and will continue to be required. Not necessary to require the playing entity. Persuasive with mod (in that we need to clarify narrative). Opposed: 0; Abstain: 0; In favor: 6.