relative to fetal death reporting to the Centers for Disease Control.
Summary
SB 530 changes how New Hampshire’s Division of Vital Records Administration reports fetal death information to the Centers for Disease Control. The bill keeps the state’s fetal death reporting requirement in place, but limits the personally identifying information that may be transmitted to the CDC. Specifically, it bars release of the mother’s or father’s names, birth month and day, medical record numbers, and residential or mailing address information, including ZIP code.
The bill also updates terminology in the fetal death record itself, replacing the phrase “maiden surname” with “name prior to first marriage or civil union.” It allows the division to continue sharing the parents’ birth year and the date of fetal delivery. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage.
Impact
SB 530 amends RSA 5-C:75 and adds a new section to RSA 5-C governing fetal death reporting and the confidentiality of information shared with the CDC. It narrows the scope of data disclosure by the Division of Vital Records Administration, reducing the amount of personally identifying information that can be released while preserving public health reporting functions. The bill affects state vital records procedures, CDC reporting practices, and the privacy of parents whose information appears on fetal death records.
Sentiment
The available context suggests broad, noncontroversial support for the bill. There are no recorded committee transcripts or floor vote details indicating opposition, and the bill advanced to adoption by both bodies. The fiscal note also indicates a minimal fiscal impact, which likely reduced any budget-related concern.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. If any concerns existed, they would likely have centered on the balance between public health data reporting and privacy protections, especially the decision to withhold names, exact birth dates, and address information from CDC submissions. However, the bill’s limited scope and immediate privacy rationale suggest that any disagreement was minimal or absent in the available record.
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