35-1-419. Stillbirth registration.

(a) A stillbirth certificate for each stillbirth which occurs in this state after gestation period of twenty (20) completed weeks or more shall be filed with the local registrar of the registration district in which the delivery occurred within three (3) days after the delivery and prior to removal of the stillbirth from the state. If the place of stillbirth is unknown, a stillbirth certificate shall be filed in the registration district in which a stillbirth was found within three (3) days after the occurrence. If a stillbirth occurs on a moving conveyance, a stillbirth certificate shall be filed in the registration district in which the stillbirth was first removed from the conveyance.

(b) The funeral director or person acting as such who first assumes custody of a stillbirth shall file the stillbirth certificate. In the absence of such a person, the physician or other person in attendance at or after the delivery shall file the stillbirth certificate.

(c) The medical certification shall be completed and signed within a reasonable time after delivery by the physician in attendance at or after delivery except when inquiry is required by the postmortem examination. When a stillbirth occurs without medical attendance to the mother at or after the delivery or when inquiry is required by the postmortem examination, the coroner shall investigate the cause of stillbirth and shall complete and sign the medical certification within a reasonable time after taking charge of the case.