Definitions — Massachusetts Code § 1E

§ 1E. Definitions

  Section 1E. As used in this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

  (a) "Administrator'', the hospital administrator or other person in charge of a hospital or similar institution in which births occur.

  "Certified nurse-midwife'', a nurse licensed under section 80B of said chapter 112 and authorized to practice nurse-midwifery under section 80C of said chapter 112.

  (b) "Commissioner'', the commissioner of public health.

  (c) "Custodian'', a town clerk, the archivist of the commonwealth, the superintendent of the Quabbin reservoir and the state registrar.

  (d) "Department'', department of public health.

  (e) "Hospital medical officer'', a person registered under section nine of chapter one hundred and twelve.

  "Licensed certified professional midwife'', a midwife licensed to practice by the board of registration in midwifery pursuant to section 293 of chapter 112.

  (f) "Physician'', a person authorized or licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy pursuant to section two of chapter one hundred and twelve.

  (g) "State registrar'', the registrar of vital records and statistics.

  (h) "Registry'', the registry of vital records and statistics established in section four of chapter seventeen.

[ Subsection (i) effective until July 1, 2025. For text effective July 1, 2025, see below.]

  (i) "Town clerk or clerk'', a town clerk, city clerk or local registrar as provided in section twenty-two.

[ Subsection (i) as amended by 2025, 9, Sec. 30 effective July 1, 2025. See 2025, 9, Sec. 138. For text effective until July 1, 2025, see above.]

  (i) "Local clerk'' or "town clerk'', a town clerk, city clerk or local registrar as provided in section 22.