Dignified Disposition of Human Fetal Remains

H.B. 5929 Rep. Joseph Haveman
H.B. 5928 Rep. Darwin Booher

Current Status
H.B. 5928 and 5929 were introduced on March 9, 2010 and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.

Description
This two-bill package is designed to enhance existing Michigan law to properly dispose of the bodies of miscarried and aborted babies. H.B. 5928 would change our current state health code so that fetal remains will no longer be classified as “products of conception,” along with the placenta, umbilical cord, and other uterine contents resulting from a pregnancy. H.B. 5929 would require hospitals and abortion facilities to bury or cremate any fetus or part of a fetus that has completed at least 8 weeks gestation. Regarding miscarried babies, the parents will have the right to determine the final disposition of the fetal remains.

History
Lawmakers introduced bills to ensure the humane disposal of aborted or miscarried babies in the 2007-2008 legislative session. Sen. Jason Allen introduced S.B. 422 and 423 on 4/19/07, and Rep. Bill Huizenga introduced identical House bills, 4647 and 4648, on 4/24/07. The bills died in committee.