4Coroners' investigations into still-births
1
The Secretary of State must make arrangements for the preparation of a report on whether, and if so how, the law ought to be changed to enable or require coroners to investigate still-births.
2
For the purposes of this section, “still-births” is to be read in accordance with section 41 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953.
3
The Secretary of State must publish the report prepared under this section.
4
After the report has been published, the Lord Chancellor may by regulations amend Part 1 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (coroners etc) to—
a
enable or require coroners to conduct investigations into still-births (whether by treating still-births as deaths or otherwise);
b
specify the circumstances in which those investigations are to take place (including by limiting the duty or power to investigate to certain descriptions of still-birth);
c
provide for the purposes of those investigations;
d
make provision equivalent or similar to provision in that Part relating to investigations into deaths.
5
The regulations may not—
a
create any offence, or
b
confer any power to make provision of a legislative character,
other than by applying (with necessary modifications), or making equivalent or similar provision to, provision already contained in Part 1 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
6
No regulations may be made under this section after the period of five years beginning with the day on which the report is published under subsection (3).