Opinion ID: 391414
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Disposal of Remains

Text: 65 With respect to section 1870.16, relating to disposal of fetus remains, we agree with the district court that the language is impermissibly vague as definition of a criminal act. The City defendants have urged us to void only the word humane, arguing that the words in a ... sanitary manner are sufficiently clear. If the City desires to legislate on this subject it should do so either by enacting specific requirements or by referring to regulations which set forth the requirements with specificity. The possibility that the language of section 1870.16 might be construed to mandate some sort of decent burial of an embryo at the earliest stages of formation is too real to be overlooked. The district court correctly found section 1870.16 invalid on grounds of vagueness. 66 The judgment of the district court is affirmed in part and reversed in part. No costs allowed. 67