Thursday, February 17, 2011

Dignified Disposition of Human Fetal Remains Bills Pass Committee

On February 15, the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to pass S. 25, S. 54 and S. 55 to the Senate floor. This bill package is designed to enhance existing Michigan law to properly dispose of the bodies of miscarried and aborted babies. The 2010 discovery of 17 aborted babies in a business dumpster outside a Lansing abortion facility sparked public outcry and a resolve among legislators to make these changes to Michigan law.

S.B. 25, S.B. 54 would change our current state health code so that fetal remains will no longer be classified as "products of conception" and "pathological waste," along with the placenta, umbilical cord, and other uterine contents resulting from a pregnancy. The bills would require hospitals and abortion facilities to bury or cremate any fetus or part of a fetus that has recognizable anatomical parts or has completed at least 8 weeks gestation.

S.B. 55 establishes penalties of up to three years imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $5,000.

To learn more about this legislation, click here.