§ 40:48 — Abortions (induced termination of pregnancy); birth and death

§48. Abortions (induced termination of pregnancy); birth and death
certificates
A. Whenever an abortion procedure results in a live birth, a birth
certificate shall be issued certifying the birth of said born human being even
though said human being may thereafter die. For the purposes of this Section
a human being is live born, or there is a live birth, whenever there is the
complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a human embryo or fetus,
irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which after such separation, breathes
or shows any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of
the umbilical cord, or movement of the voluntary muscles, whether or not the
umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached. In the event death does
ensue after a short time, a death certificate shall be issued. Both the birth and
the death certificates shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of this
Part and of rules and regulations of the Louisiana Department of Health.
B. Each induced termination of pregnancy which occurs in this state
shall be reported to the vital records registry within fifteen days by the person
in charge of the institution in which the induced termination of pregnancy was
performed. If the induced termination of pregnancy was performed outside an
institution, the physician in attendance at or immediately after delivery shall
prepare and file the report.

Legislative History

Acts 1979, No. 776, §1; Acts 1986, No. 876, §1.