Senate committee hears bill to pause lung‑float autopsy test pending study
A Senate Finance Committee hearing considered HB 1143, which would place a two‑year moratorium on use of the lung float test in perinatal autopsies while Maryland studies its reliability; supporters cited forensic experts and wrongful‑conviction risk while opponents called it an investigatory tool whose removal could impede inquiries.
The full story
Delegate Leslie Lopez urged the Senate Finance Committee to approve HB 1143 as amended, asking lawmakers to impose a two‑year moratorium on the lung float test while the Department of Health, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner study the test’s usefulness in assessing live birth. "When criminal liability hinges on the proof of a live birth, the evidence must demonstrate sustained life, not simply the presence of air in lungs," Lopez said.
Sign up to keep reading.
Your free newsletter brings you what your city council, county, and school board discussed and decided.
Keep reading for free
Create a free account to finish this story and see the video, transcript and key details.
Continue with GoogleContinue with emailAlready have an account? Log in