DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Burford HB No. 403
Abstract: Authorizes issuance of certificates of stillbirth in certain instances and provides for
hospital policies concerning disposition of fetal remains.
Present law defines "spontaneous fetal death" and "stillbirth" as the expulsion or extraction of a
product of human conception resulting in other than a live birth and when the expulsion or
extraction is not the result of an induced termination of pregnancy, without reference to
gestational age or weight of the fetus.
Present law requires the state registrar of vital records to establish a certificate of stillbirth on an
approved form for each spontaneous fetal death which occurs in this state after 20 complete
weeks of gestation or more or a weight of 350 grams or more. Proposed law authorizes issuance
of this form for other instances of spontaneous fetal death when requested by a parent of a
stillborn child.
Proposed law requires that every licensed hospital, maternity home, and other licensed health
facility providing medical care adopt written policies and inform parents regarding their options
for disposition or taking of fetal remains in an event of a spontaneous fetal death.
(Amends R.S. 40:32(16) and 92(A); Adds R.S. 40:2017.13)