HB 1563 - DIGEST

Declares that the body, including the body parts, body organs, body tissue, and body fluids, of a fetus whose death is the result of the application of any abortion procedure or technique may not be sold, donated, or otherwise transferred, with or without valuable consideration, for any use, but shall be disposed of as human remains by burial or cremation in accordance with the requirements of chapter 9.02 RCW and chapter 70.58 RCW.

Declares that this act is not intended, and may not be construed, to prevent a coroner, medical examiner, physician of the mother of the fetus, or prosecuting attorney from using that part of the body of a fetus whose death is the result of the application of any abortion procedure or technique that is necessary for the sole and exclusive purpose of diagnosing or determining: (1) A disease or condition or cause of death of the mother of the fetus if the abortion was performed because of such disease or condition of the mother of the fetus, or

(2) Cause of death of the fetus, if in either case no other reasonable means of making the diagnosis or determination is available without such use.

Provides that provisions of this act and RCW 68.50.610(3) are not intended, and may not be construed, to apply to the donation for medical research or use of any part of the body of a fetus whose death is the result of a miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, sickness, disease, accident, or crime caused to the fetus or the mother by a third party without the knowledge and consent of the mother. However, the donation may only be made if a parent or guardian knows of and approves the donation for such medical research or use.