ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 136

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

4-201.

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(e)     "Fetal death" means death of a product of human conception, before its
complete expulsion or extraction from the mother, regardless of the duration of the
pregnancy, as indicated by the fact that, after the expulsion or extraction, the fetus
does not breathe or show any other evidence of life, such as heart beat, pulsation of
the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscle.

(f)      "File" means to present for registration any certificate, report, or other
record including records transmitted by approved electronic media, including
facsimile, of birth, BIRTH RESULTING IN STILLBIRTH, death, fetal death, adoption,
marriage, or divorce for which this subtitle provides and to have the Secretary accept
the record.

(m) "Registration" means acceptance by the Secretary and incorporation in the
records of the Department of any certificate, report, or other record of birth, BIRTH
RESULTING IN STILLBIRTH, death, fetal death, adoption, marriage, divorce, or
dissolution or annulment of marriage for which this subtitle provides.

(n) "Vital record" means a certificate or report of birth, BIRTH RESULTING IN
STILLBIRTH, death, fetal death, marriage, divorce, dissolution or annulment of
marriage, adoption, or adjudication of paternity that is required by law to be filed
with the Secretary.

(e) "Vital statistics" means the data derived from certificates and reports of
birth, BIRTH RESULTING IN STILLBIRTH, death, fetal death, marriage, divorce,
dissolution or annulment of marriage, and reports related to any of these certificates
and reports.

4-203.

(a) The Secretary is charged with administering efficiently and uniformly this
subtitle throughout this State.

(b) (1) The Secretary shall establish appropriate methods and the necessary
forms for accurate registration of vital records.

(2) The forms shall provide for the information that the Secretary needs
for proper registration and use of these vital records.

4-204.

(a) The Secretary shall collect, index, and safeguard from fire, loss, or damage
each certificate of birth, BIRTH RESULTING IN STILLBIRTH, death, and fetal death.

(b) After registration of a completed death or fetal death certificate, the
Secretary shall send a copy of the original certificate to the county registrar for the

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