This bill amends the definition of "fetal death" in Washington's vital statistics law, specifically in RCW 70.58A.010. The updated definition clarifies that fetal death refers to any product of conception that shows no evidence of life after complete expulsion or extraction from the individual who gave birth, provided it is not an induced termination of pregnancy. The criteria for determining fetal death have been modified to state that it occurs if the fetus has completed twenty or more weeks of gestation at the date of death based on the best clinically accurate gestational age, or if it weighs three hundred fifty grams or more when the weeks of gestation are unknown. The previous language that calculated gestation from the date of the last menstrual period has been deleted.

Additionally, the bill establishes an expiration date for the new provisions, set for June 30, 2027, and specifies that the amended definitions will take effect on the same date. This legislative change aims to provide clearer guidelines for the classification of fetal death, which may impact reporting and statistical data related to vital records in the state.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 70.58A.010