Sec. 18.50.240. Fetal death registration.

330 words·~2 min read·/ak/title-18/chapter-50/18-50-240

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(a)A fetal death certificate for each fetal death that occurs in the state shall be filed with the local registrar of the registration district in which the delivery occurred within three days after the delivery and before final disposition of the fetus or removal of the fetus from the state, except as provided by regulation in special problem cases. However, the filing of a certificate for a product of a pregnancy of less than 20 weeks may be determined by regulation. For the purposes of this section, if the place of fetal death is unknown, a fetal death certificate shall be filed in the registration district in which the dead fetus is found. When a fetal death occurs on a moving conveyance a fetal death certificate shall be filed in the registration district in which the fetus is first removed from the conveyance.

(b)The funeral director or person acting as the funeral director who first assumes custody of a fetus shall file the fetal death certificate. In the absence of a funeral director or a person acting as a funeral director, the physician or other person in attendance at or after the delivery shall file the certificate of fetal death. The person who files the certificate shall obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available and the medical certification of cause of death from the person responsible for this information.

(c)The medical certification shall be completed and signed within 24 hours after delivery by the physician in attendance at or after delivery except when an official inquiry or inquest is required and except as provided by regulation in special problem cases.

(d)When a fetal death occurs without medical attendance upon the mother at or after the delivery, or when official inquiry is required, the department shall provide by regulation, in accordance with law, the responsibility for completing and signing the medical certification.