This legislation amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish new requirements for hospitals and freestanding birth centers concerning miscarried or stillborn fetuses. It mandates that these facilities must notify parents within six hours of a miscarriage or stillbirth, or upon discharge, about their rights regarding the fetus's disposition. The required notification, using a Secretary-developed form, must inform parents of their options for a private or common burial , cremation , or disposal by the facility. If parents elect burial or cremation in writing within 72 hours, the facility must ensure the disposition aligns with the state's fetal death disposition options. Furthermore, the bill allows individuals harmed by a violation of these requirements to bring a civil action in federal court for appropriate relief.
This legislation amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish new requirements for hospitals and freestanding birth centers concerning miscarried or stillborn fetuses. It mandates that these facilities must notify parents within six hours of a miscarriage or stillbirth, or upon discharge, about their rights regarding the fetus's disposition. The required notification, using a Secretary-developed form, must inform parents of their options for a private or common burial , cremation , or disposal by the facility. If parents elect burial or cremation in writing within 72 hours, the facility must ensure the disposition aligns with the state's fetal death disposition options. Furthermore, the bill allows individuals harmed by a violation of these requirements to bring a civil action in federal court for appropriate relief.