Bill Text: VA HB666 | 2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Vital records; expands the definition of "dead body."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-04-09 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0922) [HB666 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HB666-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §32.1-249 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§32.1-249. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
1. "Dead body" means a human body or such
parts of such human body from the condition of which it reasonably may be
concluded that death recently occurred.
2. "Fetal death" means death prior to the
complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of human
conception, regardless of the duration of pregnancy; death is indicated by the
fact that after such expulsion or extraction the fetus does not breathe or show
any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the
umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles.
a. "Induced termination of pregnancy" means the intentional interruption of pregnancy with the intention to produce other than a live-born infant or to remove a dead fetus and which does not result in a live birth.
b. "Spontaneous fetal death" means the expulsion or extraction of a product of human conception resulting in other than a live birth and which is not an induced termination of pregnancy.
3. "File" means the presentation of a vital
record provided for in this chapter for registration by the Department.
4. "Final disposition" means the burial,
interment, cremation, removal from the Commonwealth or other authorized
disposition of a dead body or fetus.
5. "Institution" means any establishment,
public or private, which provides inpatient medical, surgical, or diagnostic
care or treatment, or nursing, custodial or domiciliary care, or to which
persons are committed by law.
6. "Live birth" means the complete or
substantial expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of human
conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which, after such
expulsion or extraction, breathes or shows any other evidence of life such as
beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of
voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta
is attached.
"Substantial expulsion or extraction" means, in the case of a headfirst presentation, the infant's entire head is outside the body of the mother or, in the case of a breech delivery, when any part of the infant's trunk past the navel is outside the body of the mother.
7. "Physician" means a person authorized or
licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in this Commonwealth.
8. "Registration" means the acceptance by the
Department and the incorporation of vital records as provided for in this
chapter into its official records.
9. "System of vital records" means the
registration, collection, preservation, amendment, and certification of vital
records; the collection of other reports required by this chapter; and related
activities.
10. "Vital records" means certificates or
reports of births, deaths, fetal deaths, adoptions, marriages, divorces or
annulments and amendment data related thereto.
2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to §30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 854 of the Acts of Assembly of 2019 requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to §30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.
