SURRENDERED INFANT; REPORTS OF LIVE BIRTH AND DEATH
House Bill 5998
Sponsor: Rep. Douglas Bovin
Committee: Family and Children Services
Complete to 5-3-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5998 AS INTRODUCED 5-2-02
The Public Health Code (Public Act 368 of 1975) requires certain individuals to report a live birth or death that occur within the state. The code sets different reporting procedures for live births depending on whether or not the birth occurred in an institution.
The bill would add reporting requirements for a live birth that occurs during an attempted abortion and when the mother of the newborn has expressed a desire not to assume custody and responsibility for the newborn by refusing to authorize the necessary life-sustaining medical treatment. Live births that occurred during an attempted abortion would be treated in the same manner as other live births, depending on whether or not the attempted abortion took place in an institution. However, for births that resulted from an attempted abortion, the parents would be listed as "unknown".
The Public Health Code also requires a funeral director who first assumes custody of a dead body to report the death, obtain the necessary personal data, and obtain medical certification. Under the bill, "dead body" would include, but wouldn't be limited to, the body of an infant who survived an attempted abortion but died within 12 hours.
The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 5994, which would create the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.
MCL 333.2822 and 333.2843
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.