This bill, SB 189, updates the requirements and procedures for fetal death records in New Hampshire by repealing and reenacting several sections of RSA. It mandates that a fetal death worksheet be prepared and a fetal death report filed within five days of the occurrence, with specific procedures based on the location of the fetal death. The bill also details the information required in the fetal death report, including data about the fetus, mother, father, delivery, and related medical conditions. Additionally, it introduces new requirements for unwed mothers, necessitating the completion of a fetal death paternity affidavit that includes the father's information, with designated hospital staff assisting in the preparation.

Moreover, the bill revises the procedures for the disposition of fetal remains, requiring an electronically generated burial permit from licensed funeral directors or town clerks. It specifies the necessary information to be included in the burial permit and emphasizes the need for written parental authorization regarding the manner of disposition. An important insertion in the bill mandates the retention of the burial permit according to the record retention schedule outlined in RSA 5-C:96. The act is set to take effect 120 days after its passage, aiming to streamline the reporting process and enhance data collection related to fetal health and mortality.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 5-C:79
Version adopted by both bodies: 5-C:79
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 5-C:79