TITLE 39

HEALTH AND SAFETY

CHAPTER 2

VITAL STATISTICS

39-268.  Authorization for final disposition. (1) The mortician or person acting as such who first assumes possession of a dead body or stillborn fetus shall make a written report to the registrar of the district in which death or stillbirth occurred or in which the body or stillborn fetus was found within twenty-four (24) hours after taking possession of the body or stillborn fetus, on a form prescribed and furnished by the state registrar and in accordance with rules promulgated by the board. Except as specified in subsection (2) of this section, the written report shall serve as permit to transport, bury or entomb the body or stillborn fetus within this state, provided that the mortician or person acting as such shall certify that the physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse in charge of the patient’s care for the illness or condition which resulted in death or stillbirth has been contacted and has affirmatively stated that said physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse or the designated associate according to section 39-260(1)(b) or (4)(a), Idaho Code, will sign the certificate of death or stillbirth.

(2)  The written report as specified in subsection (1) of this section shall not serve as a permit to:

(a)  Remove a body or stillborn fetus from this state;

(b)  Cremate the body or stillborn fetus; or

(c)  Make disposal or disposition of any body or stillborn fetus in any manner when inquiry is required under chapter 43, title 19, Idaho Code, or section 39-260(2) or (5), Idaho Code.

(3)  In accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the mortician or person acting as such who first assumes possession of a dead body or stillborn fetus shall obtain an authorization for final disposition prior to final disposal or removal from the state of the body or stillborn fetus. The physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse or coroner responsible for signing the death or stillbirth certificate shall authorize final disposition of the body or stillborn fetus, on a form prescribed and furnished by the state registrar. If the body is to be cremated, the coroner must also give additional authorization. In the case of stillbirths, the hospital may dispose of the stillborn fetus if the parent(s) so requests; authorization from the coroner is not necessary unless the coroner is responsible for signing the certificate of stillbirth.

(4)  When a dead body or stillborn fetus is transported into the state, a permit issued in accordance with the law of the state in which the death or stillbirth occurred or in which the body or stillborn fetus was found shall authorize the transportation and final disposition within the state of Idaho.

(5)  A permit for disposal shall not be required in the case of a dead fetus of less than twenty (20) weeks gestation and less than three hundred fifty (350) grams or twelve and thirty-five hundredths (12.35) ounces where disposal of the fetal remains is made within the institution where the delivery of the dead fetus occurred.

History:

[(39-268) 1949, ch. 72, sec. 20, p. 117; am. 1972, ch. 123, sec. 1, p. 243; am. and redesignated 1983, ch. 7, sec. 30, p. 39; am. 2007, ch. 244, sec. 2, p. 721; am. 2014, ch. 45, sec. 3, p. 121.]