MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare
By: Representative Simpson
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR A "CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH RESULTING IN CHILDBIRTH" FOR EACH FETAL DEATH OCCURRING AFTER A GESTATIONAL PERIOD OF AT LEAST TWENTY WEEKS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CERTIFICATE WILL BE OFFERED TO THE PARENT OR PARENTS OF A STILLBORN CHILD OR A CHILD WHO DIES DURING LABOR; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PERSON WHO PREPARES THE CERTIFICATE WILL LEAVE BLANK ANY REFERENCES TO THE STILLBORN CHILD'S NAME IF THE PARENTS DO NOT WISH TO PROVIDE A NAME FOR THE CHILD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The State Registrar of Vital Records shall establish a "certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth" for each fetal death occurring in the state after a gestational period of at least twenty (20) completed weeks. This certificate shall be offered to the parent or parents of a stillborn child or a child who dies during labor.
(2) The certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth shall meet all of the format and filing requirements for a certificate of live birth as provided in this chapter and in rules and regulations of the State Board of Health. However, the person who prepares the certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth shall leave blank any references to the stillborn child's name if the parent or parents of the child do not wish to provide a name for the child.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.