The bill amends the definition of "fetal death" in Washington state law to ensure that the calculation of gestational age is based on objective and clinically accurate criteria. Specifically, it modifies the existing definition to state that a fetal death is any product of conception that shows no evidence of life after complete expulsion or extraction, which has either completed twenty or more weeks of gestation at the date of death based on the best clinically accurate gestational age or weighs three hundred fifty grams or more if the weeks of gestation are unknown. The previous language that calculated gestational age from the date of the last menstrual period has been deleted.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for an effective date and an expiration date for the new definitions, with Section 1 expiring on June 30, 2027, and Section 2 taking effect on the same date. This structure allows for a transition period during which the new definitions will be implemented.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 70.58A.010