CHAPTER 6

STILLBIRTH REGISTRATION

  Section 1. Responsibility for Filing. A stillbirth certificate shall be filed for all stillbirths with a gestation of twenty (20) or more completed weeks.

  (a) The funeral director who first assumes custody of a stillbirth shall:

    (i) Notify the coroner if the stillbirth occurred without medical attendance;

    (ii) Complete all items except those in the section pertaining to cause of death;

    (iii) Obtain all necessary signatures and review the certificate for completeness and accuracy;

    (iv) File the certificate with the local registrar of the county in which the stillbirth occurred.

  (b) In the absence of a funeral director, the person in attendance at or after the delivery shall prepare and file the stillbirth certificate.

  (c) When a stillbirth occurs in a health care facility, the person in charge of the facility shall make available information regarding that stillbirth for the purpose of completing the certificate.

  Section 2. Medical Certification.

  (a) The medical certification shall be completed and signed within twenty- four (24) hours after delivery by the physician in attendance at or after the delivery, except when inquiry is required by a post-mortem examination.

  (b) When a stillbirth occurs without medical attendance at or after the delivery, the coroner shall complete and sign the medical certification within twenty-four (24) hours after taking charge of the case.

  (c) The cause of death shall be stated as accurately and specifically as possible.

  Section 3. Parentage on Stillbirth Certificate. The name of the father on the stillbirth certificate shall be governed by the same regulations as for live births. See Chapter 3 Section 2. 6−1 Effective 04/21/2008

  Section 4. Time Limits.

  (a) A stillbirth certificate shall be filed with the local registrar of the county in which the stillbirth occurred within three (3) days of the date of the stillbirth.

  (b) An extension of not more than forty-eight (48) hours may be granted by the local registrar for the filing of a stillbirth. In all cases the certificate shall be filed within five (5) days of the delivery.

  (c) When an incomplete stillbirth certificate is filed, or the cause of death is marked "Pending" on a stillbirth certificate, the missing information shall be forwarded to the State Registrar as soon as possible.