MD HB1143

Prohibits the Chief Medical Examiner, deputy chief medical examiners, assistant medical examiners, and authorized pathologists from using hydrostatic lung tests (lung float tests) when performing perinatal autopsies to determine whether a death was a stillbirth or occurred after live birth

Requires the Maryland Department of Health, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, to report to the legislature by December 1, 2027 on the usefulness and efficacy of the lung float test and whether it should continue to be used as an autopsy tool

Takes effect October 1, 2026 with a 2-year sunset provision, automatically expiring on September 30, 2028 unless further action is taken by the General Assembly

Originally included civil liability provisions and physician discipline grounds for violations, but these provisions were removed through amendments