NO FEE FOR STILLBIRTH DEATH CERTIFICATE

House Bill 5289 (proposed substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Rep. Julie Alexander

Committee:  Families, Children and Seniors

Complete to 2-4-20

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5289 would amend the Public Health Code to prohibit the state registrar from charging a fee for a search and up to two certified copies or authenticated copies of a certificate or other record of stillbirth as described in the code.

Currently, the state registrar or a local registrar is required, upon receipt of a written request and payment of the prescribed fee, to search for and issue a record of stillbirth filed after June 1, 2003, to a parent named in the record or, by court order, to a court of competent jurisdiction. The base fee for a search including one certified copy, one administrative use copy, or one statistical use copy is $34.

MCL 333.2891

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5289 has fiscal implications of up to $20,400 for the Department of Health and Human Services to provide a vital records certificate or other record of stillbirth to an eligible individual at no charge to the individual. In 2017, 605 fetal deaths that occurred in Michigan were designated as stillbirth.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   E. Best

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Susan Frey

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.