2013 Maryland Code
HEALTH - GENERAL
§ 4-213 - Fetal death certificates

§4-213.

(a) If a fetal death occurs after a gestation period of 20 weeks or more, then within 72 hours after delivery, a certificate of fetal death shall be filed by:

(1) The mortician who first takes custody of a fetus;

(2) The person in charge of the institution or the person’s designated representative when a fetus is delivered in an institution;

(3) The physician in attendance at or immediately after delivery when a fetus is delivered outside an institution; or

(4) The medical examiner when a fetal death occurs without medical attendance at or immediately after the delivery when a medical examiner’s inquiry is required.

(b) The person who files the fetal death certificate shall obtain:

(1) The personal information from the next of kin or the best qualified individual or source available; and

(2) The medical certification of cause of death:

(i) From the medical examiner, within 24 hours after the medical examiner takes charge of the fetus; or

(ii) If the medical examiner does not take charge of the fetus, from the attending physician within 24 hours after delivery.

(c) When a fetal death occurs on a common carrier and the fetus is first removed from the carrier in this State or when a fetus is found in this State and the place of fetal death is unknown, the fetal death shall be reported in this State.

(d) The place where the fetus was first removed from the carrier or the fetus was found shall be considered the place of fetal death.

§ 4-213 - 1. Stillbirth certificates

(a) Procedures established. -- The Secretary shall establish procedures for the issuance of a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.

(b) Certificate available. -- The Department shall make available a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth to the parent or parents of a stillborn child for whom a fetal death was registered.

(c) Use of first name optional. -- The individual preparing the certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth shall not include any references to the stillborn child's first name if the stillborn child's parent or parents do not wish to provide a first name for the stillborn child.