Bill > HB715

This bill authorizes the Hawaii Department of Health to issue commemorative certificates of stillbirth for families who have experienced the loss of a baby before birth, with specific conditions and limitations. The bill establishes that these commemorative certificates can only be issued if a certificate of fetal death has already been filed, and requires the department to include a prominent disclaimer stating that the document has no legal standing and is not considered official evidence. The bill also sets up a fee structure for obtaining these certificates, with the fees to be deposited into the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund. Importantly, the commemorative certificates are explicitly defined as having no prima facie legal evidence and are purely symbolic, designed to provide emotional support and recognition for families who have suffered a stillbirth. The bill amends existing Hawaii Revised Statutes to create a new statutory part specifically addressing these commemorative certificates and updates the existing statute regarding the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund to include the new fee revenue stream. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder date commonly used in draft legislation.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=715&year=2026