1. (a) If a fetal death occurs after a gestation period of 20 weeks or more, then within 72 hours after delivery, a certificate of fetal death shall be filed by:

   1. (1) The mortician who first takes custody of a fetus;
   2. (2) The person in charge of the institution or the person's designated representative when a fetus is delivered in an institution;
   3. (3) The physician in attendance at or immediately after delivery when a fetus is delivered outside an institution; or
   4. (4) The medical examiner when a fetal death occurs without medical attendance at or immediately after the delivery when a medical examiner's inquiry is required.

2. (b) The person who files the fetal death certificate shall obtain:

   1. (1) The personal information from the next of kin or the best qualified individual or source available; and

   2. (2) The medical certification of cause of death:

      1. (i) From the medical examiner, within 24 hours after the medical examiner takes charge of the fetus; or
      2. (ii) If the medical examiner does not take charge of the fetus, from the attending physician within 24 hours after delivery.
3. (c) When a fetal death occurs on a common carrier and the fetus is first removed from the carrier in this State or when a fetus is found in this State and the place of fetal death is unknown, the fetal death shall be reported in this State.
4. (d) The place where the fetus was first removed from the carrier or the fetus was found shall be considered the place of fetal death.

Added by Acts 1982, c. 21, § 2, eff. July 1, 1982. Amended by Acts 1995, c. 97, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, c. 14, § 1, eff. April 8, 1997.

Formerly Art. 43, § 21.