An Act To Provide for a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  issuance of a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth in a timely manner after the stillbirth is a matter of importance to the parents and an issue related to the public health; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §2761-C  is enacted to read:

§ 2761-C.  Certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth

Upon request of a parent, in the event of an unintentional intrauterine death of a fetus of 20 or more weeks of gestation, the department shall issue a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth bearing the official seal of the State. The certificate must be based upon information drawn from a previously filed certificate of fetal death under section 2841.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.