Arkansas Bill Regarding Fetal Death Certificates (HB 1185)

HB 1185 would amend the laws concerning fetal death certificates and stillbirths.

Regarding a certificate of birth resulting from stillbirth, the bill would amend the definition of “stillbirth” to mean an “unintended, intrauterine fetal death occurring in this state after a gestational age of not less than 12 completed weeks.” Current law defines stillbirth as a fetal death occurring after a gestational age of 20 weeks.

In regards to registering a pregnancy termination, the bill would consider it a “fetal death” when such an event occurs after the fetus has reached 12 weeks gestation, rather than the current 20 weeks gestation designation.

STATUS

Passed the House by an 88-4 vote on January 26, 2017.

Passed the Senate by an 29-0 vote on February 13, 2017.

Signed by the Governor on February 16, 2017.

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