Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 1596 – Abortion and miscarriage data
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1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. “Abortion” means the intentional interruption of a pregnancy by the application of external agents, whether chemical or physical, or the ingestion of chemical agents with an intention other than to produce a live birth or to remove a dead fetus, regardless of the length of gestation. [PL 1989, c. 274, §1 (RPR).]
B. “Miscarriage” means an interruption of a pregnancy other than as provided in paragraph A of a fetus of less than 20 weeks gestation. [PL 1989, c. 274, §1 (RPR).]
C. “Health care professional” means a physician or physician assistant licensed under Title 32, chapter 36 or 48 or a person licensed under Title 32, chapter 31 to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse. [PL 2019, c. 262, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2019, c. 262, §1 (AMD).]
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 1596
- Department: means the Department of Health and Human Services. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 1-A
- live birth: as used in this chapter , shall mean a product of conception after complete expulsion or extraction from its mother, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which breathes or shows any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 Sec. 1595
- Month: means a calendar month. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
2. Abortion reports. A report of each abortion performed must be made to the Department of Health and Human Services in a manner prescribed by the department. These reports may not identify the patient by name or include other identifying information.
The report must include, without limitation, the following information:
A. The date and place the abortion was performed; [PL 2023, c. 416, §1 (NEW).]
B. The age of the person on whom the abortion was performed; [PL 2023, c. 416, §1 (NEW).]
C. The method used to perform the abortion; and [PL 2023, c. 416, §1 (NEW).]
D. The gestational age of the fetus when the abortion was performed. [PL 2023, c. 416, §1 (NEW).]
The report containing the information and data required by this subsection must be transmitted by the health care provider to the department not later than 10 days following the end of the month in which the abortion is performed.
[PL 2023, c. 416, §1 (RPR).]
3. Miscarriage reports. A report of each miscarriage must be made by the health care professional in attendance at or after the occurrence of the miscarriage to the Department of Health and Human Services on forms prescribed by the department. These report forms must contain all of the applicable information required on the certificate of fetal death in current use.
The report form must be prepared and signed by the health care professional in attendance at or after the occurrence of the miscarriage and transmitted to the department not later than 10 days following the end of the month in which the miscarriage occurs.
[PL 2019, c. 262, §1 (AMD).]
The identity of any patient or health care professional reporting pursuant to this section is confidential and the department shall take the steps necessary to ensure the confidentiality of the identity of patients or health care professionals reporting pursuant to this section. [PL 2019, c. 262, §1 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1977, c. 696, §186 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 363, §§1-4 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 274, §1 (RPR). PL 2003, c. 689, §B6 (REV). PL 2019, c. 262, §1 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 416, §1 (AMD).