HB 0089 2003
   
1 A bill to be entitled
2         An act relating to the disposition of fetal remains;
3   creating s. 383.33625, F.S.; providing a popular name;
4   providing that where a health care facility has custody of
5   a fetus following a spontaneous fetal demise, the health
6   care facility must notify the mother of her right to
7   burial or cremation of the fetus; providing requirements
8   with respect to notification; directing the Department of
9   Health to develop forms; providing an effective date.
10         
11         Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
12         
13         Section 1. Section 383.33625, Florida Statutes, is created
14   to read:
15         383.33625 Stephanie Saboor Grieving Parents Rights Act;
16   disposition of fetus; notification; forms developed by
17   Department of Health.--
18         (1) This section shall be known by the popular name the
19   “Stephanie Saboor Grieving Parents Rights Act.”
20         (2) A health care facility having custody of a fetus
21   following a spontaneous fetal demise occurring after a gestation
22   period of less than 20 completed weeks must notify the mother of
23   her right to arrange for the burial or cremation of the fetus.
24   Notification may also include other options such as, but not
25   limited to, a ceremony, a certificate, or common burial of the
26   fetal tissue. If, within 24 hours after being notified under
27   this section, the mother elects in writing to arrange for the
28   burial or cremation of the fetus, the disposition of the fetus
29   shall be subject to the same laws and rules that apply in the
30   case of a fetal death that occurs in this state after a
31   gestation period of 20 completed weeks or more.
32         (3) The Department of Health shall develop forms to be
33   used for notifications and elections under this section, and
34   health care facilities shall provide the forms to the mother.
35         Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
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