HB 713 - This act would require a hospital or other health care facility, which transfers a stillborn child to a funeral establishment for final disposition, to notify one or both of the parents of the transfer and to request instructions on the final disposition for the child.

The hospital or health care facility shall convey such instructions to the funeral establishment which shall then proceed as directed.

If the funeral establishment receives instructions from one parent, the funeral establishment may arrange for the final disposition of the child without contacting the other parent.

If the parents do not provide instruction for the final disposition of the child to the hospital or health care facility or to the funeral establishment directly, the funeral establishment shall conduct the most cost-effective method of final disposition for such child and the hospital shall be responsible for the cost of such disposition. The hospital shall be entitled to collect the cost from the parents and in those situations where the parents select the manner of final disposition, the parents shall be responsible to the funeral establishment for the costs of such disposition.

Any person who violates these provisions shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
JOAN GUMMELS