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For Immediate Release
March 16, 2010
Contact: Sally Kohr
(717) 787-4651

Op-Ed: Parents of Stillborn Children Deserve Peace of Mind from Birth Certificate
By Senator Rich Alloway (R-33)

The birth of a stillborn child is one of the most painful and heart-wrenching events that a family can be forced to endure. Instead of celebrating a new addition, these families must deal with the deep emotional pain of losing a child.

Under current state law, parents of stillborn children receive a certificate of stillbirth, but they cannot receive a birth certificate. Many families feel that these certificates of stillbirth are nothing more than a death certificate, and they do little to ease their heartache.

For more than a decade, parents and other advocates have fought to have these births recognized with a birth certificate. This simple act gives parents greater peace of mind and offers a small way to contribute to the healing process.

Twenty-seven other states issue a birth certificate for stillborn children, and I am hopeful that Pennsylvania will join these states in the near future. I am cosponsoring legislation, Senate Bill 620, which would give these families the opportunity to receive a birth certificate for their child. The Senate passed similar legislation during the last legislative session, but the legislation stalled in the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 620 was referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. I am urging my colleagues in the Senate to consider this legislation during this legislative session. I am hopeful that our colleagues in the House will also agree to consider this proposal to recognize the birth of stillborn children and help provide closure for their families.  It is time we recognize these tiny babies for what they really are – human beings.