Parents Seek Recognition for Stillborn Babies

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A national effort designed to help parents of stillborn children has reached the California Legislature. Next week lawmakers will consider legislation that would allow counties to issue birth certificates to the parents of stillborn babies.

"We leave the hospital with a death certificate.” said Michelle Jett, a Sacramento mother who gave birth to a stillborn child. “We do not leave the hospital with any acknowledgement of giving birth to a baby, even though we have physically given birth."

Jett is working with a group called the MISS Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides crisis support and long-term aid to families after the death of a child. MISS has already helped pass similar measures in 19 other states, and is now lobbying to implement the law change in California.

The group is backing SB 850 by Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria. Called the "Missing Angels Act," the measure would allow local officials to issue birth certificates for children who are stillborn after 20 weeks of gestation.

The Maldonado bill is scheduled to be heard Wednesday, April 11, in the Senate Health Committee.