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2003 SESSION

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SB 1267 Health; Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth.

Introduced by: Stephen D. Newman | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Health; Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. Requires, upon the request of either individual listed as the mother or father on a report of fetal death in the Commonwealth, the issuance of a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth for unintended, intrauterine fetal deaths occurring after a gestational period of 20 weeks or more. The requesting mother or father may provide a name for the stillborn child on the Certificate. The Board of Health is required to prescribe a reasonable fee to cover the administrative costs and preparation of the Certificate. This provision will apply retroactively to any circumstances that would have resulted in the issuance of a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth, as prescribed by the Board. This bill is identical to HB 1450.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Health; Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. Requires, upon the request of either individual listed as the mother or father on a report of fetal death in the Commonwealth, the issuance of a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth for unintended, intrauterine fetal deaths occurring after a gestational period of 20 weeks or more. The requesting mother or father may provide a name for the stillborn child on the Certificate. The Board of Health is required to prescribe a reasonable fee to cover the administrative costs and preparation of the Certificate. This provision will apply retroactively to any circumstances that would have resulted in the issuance of a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth, as prescribed by the Board. This bill is identical to HB 1450.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Health; Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. Creates a "Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth" at the request of the parents of the stillborn child. "Stillbirth" is defined as an unintended, intrauterine fetal death occurring after a gestational period of 20 weeks or more. The "stillborn infant" is born without any attempt at respiration, including a beating umbilical cord. Currently, the Commonwealth issues only a birth certificate or death certificate that is reported to the Registrar as a fetal death report. This is similar to legislation in other states known at the "Missing Angel Act." The bill directs the Board to prescribe a reasonable fee to cover the administrative cost and preparation of such certificate. These provisions are effective retroactively to January 1, 2000.