32.1-249 - Definitions.
§ 32.1-249. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
1. "Dead body" means a human body or such parts of such human body from thecondition of which it reasonably may be concluded that death recentlyoccurred.
2. "Fetal death" means death prior to the complete expulsion or extractionfrom its mother of a product of human conception, regardless of the durationof pregnancy; death is indicated by the fact that after such expulsion orextraction the fetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of life suchas beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definitemovement of voluntary muscles.
a. "Induced termination of pregnancy" means the intentional interruption ofpregnancy with the intention to produce other than a live-born infant or toremove a dead fetus and which does not result in a live birth.
b. "Spontaneous fetal death" means the expulsion or extraction of a productof human conception resulting in other than a live birth and which is not aninduced termination of pregnancy.
3. "File" means the presentation of a vital record provided for in thischapter for registration by the Department.
4. "Final disposition" means the burial, interment, cremation, removal fromthe Commonwealth or other authorized disposition of a dead body or fetus.
5. "Institution" means any establishment, public or private, which providesinpatient medical, surgical, or diagnostic care or treatment, or nursing,custodial or domiciliary care, or to which persons are committed by law.
6. "Live birth" means the complete or substantial expulsion or extractionfrom its mother of a product of human conception, irrespective of theduration of pregnancy, which, after such expulsion or extraction, breathes orshows any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation ofthe umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or notthe umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached.
"Substantial expulsion or extraction" means, in the case of a headfirstpresentation, the infant's entire head is outside the body of the mother or,in the case of a breech delivery, when any part of the infant's trunk pastthe navel is outside the body of the mother.
7. "Physician" means a person authorized or licensed to practice medicineor osteopathy in this Commonwealth.
8. "Registration" means the acceptance by the Department and theincorporation of vital records as provided for in this chapter into itsofficial records.
9. "System of vital records" means the registration, collection,preservation, amendment, and certification of vital records; the collectionof other reports required by this chapter; and related activities.
10. "Vital records" means certificates or reports of births, deaths, fetaldeaths, adoptions, marriages, divorces or annulments and amendment datarelated thereto.
(Code 1950, § 32-353.4; 1960, c. 451; 1975, c. 267; 1979, c. 711; 1983, c.240; 2003, cc. 961, 963.)