HB4839 Amends Vital Records Act, Eliminates Fetal Death Certificate for Pre-20 Week Deaths
Illinois Legislative Events
Summary
Illinois House Bill 4839 passed the House on April 9, 2026, amending the Vital Records Act and Hospital Licensing Act regarding fetal death documentation. The bill eliminates the fetal death certificate requirement for deaths occurring before 20 weeks gestation or in cases of abortion, instead requiring funeral directors to use a Department of Public Health form to obtain disposition permits. The local registrar must seal these forms, and funeral directors may not retain copies.
What changed
HB4839 substantially modifies Illinois vital records requirements by eliminating the fetal death certificate requirement for pregnancies ending before 20 weeks gestation or through abortion. Funeral directors must now file an Authorization for Disposition of Fetal Remains or death certificate before obtaining disposition permits, and must use a new Department of Public Health form for burial, entombment, or cremation permits. The local registrar is required to seal all forms filed under these provisions, and funeral directors are prohibited from retaining copies.
Affected parties including funeral directors, hospitals, and healthcare providers should monitor this bill as it advances through the Illinois Senate. While the bill reduces administrative burden by eliminating certificates for early fetal deaths, it introduces new form-based requirements and documentation handling procedures that will require updates to internal processes and staff training. The bill's provisions align with changes to the Hospital Licensing Act, creating consistent requirements across both statutes.
What to do next
- Monitor HB4839 as it advances through the Illinois Senate
- Prepare updated procedures for fetal remains disposition permits using the new DPH form
- Review current fetal death documentation practices to align with certificate elimination provisions
Archived snapshot
Apr 10, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Illinois / HB4839 Passed HB4839 House Bill Passed 2026-04-09
NO FETAL DEATH CERTIFICATE
Amends the Vital Records Act. In provisions regarding fetal death, deletes provisions referencing election in writing to arrange for burial or cremation under the Hospital Licensing Act. Requires a funeral director to file an Authorization for Disposition of Fetal Remains or a certificate of death (rather than only a certificate of death) before obtaining a permit for disposition of remains. Provides that, in the case of a fetal death that occurs after a gestation period of less than 20 weeks or in the case of an abortion, no fetal death certificate shall be required for the disposition of remains. Directs the Department of Public Health to create a form to be used by the funeral director to obtain a permit for burial, entombment, or cremation. Requires the local registrar to seal any form filed under these provisions, and prohibits a funeral director from retaining a copy. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. In provisions regarding the disposition of a fetus, provides that no fetal death certificate shall be required in accordance with the Vital Records Act. Provides that the funeral director or person acting as such who first assumes custody of fetal remains shall use the Department of Public Health form to obtain a permit for disposition of remains. Makes other conforming changes.
Bill Details
State Illinois
Session 104th General Assembly
Chamber House
Official Source www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum...
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Kelly Cassidy (Rep - D)
Action History
2026-04-09 H Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 068-031-000 2026-04-08 H Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 2026-04-08 H Second Reading - Short Debate 2026-03-26 H Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 2026-03-26 H Do Pass / Short Debate Public Health Committee; 005-003-000 2026-03-18 H Assigned to Public Health Committee 2026-02-06 H Referred to Rules Committee 2026-02-06 H First Reading 2026-02-03 H Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
Committee Referrals
2026-02-06 H Rules 2026-03-18 H Public Health
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-03 Introduced 2026-04-08 Engrossed Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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