Sub. S. B. No. 254 - Fetal Remains Disposition

• Requires final disposition of fetal remains from surgical abortions through cremation or interment at a crematory or burial facility in compliance with state law.

• Grants pregnant women the right to determine whether fetal remains are cremated or interred and to select the location for final disposition, unless a medical emergency prevents this choice.

• Abortion facilities must obtain written disposition determinations from patients before releasing fetal remains and must pay for cremation or interment unless the woman chooses an alternative location, making her responsible for those costs.

• Establishes reporting requirements for abortion facilities including documentation of disposition methods, maintenance of written policies, and lists of disposition locations; requires the Department of Health to adopt rules within 90 days of enactment.

• Creates criminal penalties (first-degree misdemeanor) for failure to comply with disposition requirements and provides liability protections for those properly executing dispositions in good faith compliance with the law.