HF 599

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing the Grieving Parents Act; requiring a mother to be
notified of burial and cremation options in the case of a miscarriage; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

[145.1622] NOTIFICATION OF DISPOSITION OPTIONS
REQUIRED.

Subdivision 1.

Citation.

This section may be cited as the "Grieving Parents Act."

Subd. 2.

Notification required.

Hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities having
custody of a fetus following a miscarriage occurring after a gestation period of less than
20 weeks must provide written notification to the mother of her right to arrange for the
burial or cremation of the fetus. The notification may also include other options.

Subd. 3.

Election of disposition.

If, within 24 hours of receiving notification, the
mother elects, in writing, to arrange for the burial or cremation of the fetus, the hospital,
clinic, or medical facility must release the remains for burial or cremation following all
applicable requirements.

Subd. 4.

Duties of commissioner.

The commissioner of health shall prescribe the
form of and information to be included on a notification and election form to meet the
requirements of subdivisions 2 and 3, and make this form available to hospitals, clinics,
and medical facilities subject to the requirements of this section.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2007.