A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT requiring parental consent prior to the disposition of fetal remains.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 16 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 130A‑421.  Parental consent to disposition of fetal remains.
(a)	In every instance of fetal death resulting from accidental injury, stillbirth, or miscarriage, the attending physician shall obtain consent from the mother before disposing of the fetal remains. If the mother is unable to give consent, and the father is known and able to be contacted within seven days, the attending physician shall obtain consent from the father before disposing of the fetal remains. If neither the mother nor the father is able or available to give consent, the fetal remains shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
(b)	In every instance of fetal death resulting from accidental injury, stillbirth, or miscarriage, the attending physician or individual in charge of the institution where the remains were expelled or extracted shall, upon request of the mother or father, release to the mother, father, or their authorized representative, the fetal remains for burial or cremation. If neither the mother nor the father has requested the fetal remains within seven days from the time the remains were expelled or extracted, then the attending physician or the individual in charge of the institution where the remains were expelled or extracted may dispose of the remains in accordance with applicable laws and regulations."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective January 1, 2020, and applies to the disposition of remains on or after that date.