Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires either a funeral or cremation of abortion remains.

Highlights:

• Defines "unborn child" as an individual organism of the species homo sapiens from fertilization until expulsion or extraction from its mother (Sec. 2).

• Specifies if a parent of the unborn child selects a location for the final disposition of the fetal remains other than a location that is usual and customary for a healthcare facility, the parent will be responsible for the costs relating to the final disposition of the fetal remains (Sec. 3.a).

• Establishes a healthcare facility that possesses fetal remains has the following duties (Sec. 3.b):

• Provide for the final disposition of the fetal remains in accordance with burial and transit permit requirements; or

• Cremate or inter the fetal remains.

• Establishes the following identification requirements (Sec. 3.c):

• Upon the fetal death of an unborn child, a person in charge of interment will not be required to designate a name for the unborn child on the burial or transit permit, and the space for the name on the burial or transit permit may remain blank; and

• Information relating to the fetal death of an unborn child that may identify a parent of the unborn child will remain confidential and will not be subject to public disclosure.

• Specifies if the fetal remains of an unborn child are not claimed by a parent of the unborn child, a person in charge of interment may cremate the fetal remains by simultaneous cremation (Sec. 3.d).

• Establishes the Department of Health of the Commonwealth will not be required to issue a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth upon the fetal death of an unborn child (Sec. 3.e).

• Establishes a person who violates the provisions of this act will be subject to the penalties imposed under Article IX of the act of June 29, 1953, known as the Vital Statistics Law of 1953 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text