Ch. 97                                          1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(3) [However, if] IF the death occurred under any of the conditions or
circumstances set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the medical examiner shall be
notified.

(g) A mortician who obtains a certificate of death under this section shall file the
certificate within 72 hours after the death.

(h) (1) Except as authorized under this subtitle, an individual who has a duty to
fill out and sign a certificate of death may not execute more than one certificate for a
death.

(2) The attending physician or a medical examiner who takes charge of a
body may file a replacement death certificate if a correction that the physician or medical
examiner authorizes cannot be entered legibly on the original certificate.

4-213.

(a)     If a fetal death occurs after a gestation period of 20 weeks or more, then
within 72 hours after delivery, a certificate of fetal death shall be filed by:

(1)     The mortician who first takes custody of a fetus; or

(2)      [If a mortician does not take custody, the attending individual.] THE
PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE INSTITUTION OR THE PERSON'S DESIGNATED
REPRESENTATIVE WHEN A FETUS IS DELIVERED IN AN INSTITUTION;

(3)      THE PHYSICIAN IN ATTENDANCE AT OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER
DELIVERY WHEN A FETUS IS DELIVERED OUTSIDE AN INSTITUTION; OR

(4)      THE MEDICAL EXAMINER WHEN A FETAL DEATH OCCURS WITHOUT
MEDICAL ATTENDANCE AT OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DELIVERY WHEN A
MEDICAL EXAMINER'S INQUIRY IS REQUIRED.

(b)     The person who files the fetal death certificate shall obtain:

(1)     The personal information from the next of kin or the best qualified
individual or source available; and

(2)     The medical certification of cause of death:

(i) From the medical examiner, within 24 hours after the medical
examiner takes charge of the fetus; or

(ii) If the medical examiner does not take charge of the fetus, from the
attending physician within 24 hours after delivery.

(c)      [If a fetal death occurs on a common carrier and the fetus is removed from
the carrier in this State, the individual in charge or the owner of the common carrier or a
designee shall file a fetal death certificate with the Secretary within 24 hours after the
fetus is removed from the carrier.] WHEN A FETAL DEATH OCCURS ON A COMMON
CARRIER AND THE FETUS IS FIRST REMOVED FROM THE CARRIER IN THIS STATE OR
WHEN A FETUS IS FOUND IN THIS STATE AND THE PLACE OF FETAL DEATH IS
UNKNOWN, THE FETAL DEATH SHALL BE REPORTED IN THIS STATE.

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