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.

new text begin [145.1622] NOTIFICATION OF DISPOSITION OPTIONS
REQUIRED.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Citation. new text end

new text begin This section may be cited as the "Grieving Parents Act."
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Notification required. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Election of disposition. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duties of commissioner. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2007.
new text end