Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill

NYS Signs the Certificate of Still Birth Law!

2011-11-16T11:51:00.000-05:00

On September 23, 2011, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York Certificate of Still Birth law!

Thank you to all the families who helped pass this law.

Visit www.StillParentsNY.webs.com for information on how to apply for the new birth certificate for your child.

New Website for 2011

2011-01-31T17:19:00.000-05:00

Visit our new website at http://stillparentsny.webs.com

All information for the 2011 legislative session for the CBRS bill can be found there. Sample letters, "How to Help", forum, etc.

2011 is our year. Will you help us?

Goodbye to our Assm Sponsor

2010-11-03T16:58:00.000-04:00

Sad news. Our Assm bill sponsor, Janele Hyer-Spencer lost her re-election (our Senate bill sponsor, William Larkin, kept his position). We are forced to find another Assembly member to sponsor and fight for our bill. We wish Janele all the best and thank her for all of her hard work.

If elections resulted in a new legislator for you, write to them about the CBRS bill. Share your story. Ask them to be a co-sponsor.

More updates to follow....

2011 Legislative Session

2010-10-05T17:43:00.001-04:00

The beginning of November will bring about many changes in Albany. Many Senate and Assembly members across NYS are fighting to be re-elected.

Who are your representatives?

What is their position on the CBRS bill?

2010 Walks/Events to Remember....

2010-08-04T18:05:00.006-04:00

Look for our CBRS bill sign up sheet at these events*

Bridgewater NJ*
Share Walk for Remembrance & Hope
September 25, 2010

Cheektowaga NY*
18th Annual Walk to Remember
October 10, 2010

East Meadow NY*
Winthrop Hospital
October 2, 2010

Farmingdale NY*
Guardian Angel Perinatal Support Group
October 1, 2010

Liverpool NY*
KJ's Angels
September 18, 2010

Liverpool NY*
Crouse Hospital
October 3, 2010

Manhasset NY
North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical Hospital
October 3, 2010

Saratoga Springs NY*
Angel Names Association
October 16, 2010

Schenevus NY*
The Life Garden
October 2, 2010

Scotia NY
Joseph Michael Kolarcik Foundation
October 23, 2010

Stony Brook NY
Stony Brook Hospital
September 26, 2010

Suffern NY*
Good Samaritan Hospital
October 3, 2010

Did I miss an event? Email me!

No Win Today

2010-07-01T22:23:00.000-04:00

Sorry to report that our bill did not make it out of committee today. Our bill sponsor, Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer, fought for all of us. There was a debate about definitions and the name of our bill. It was clearly a ploy to prevent our bill from passing this year.

We want to THANK everyone for all the emails and phone calls made. And all the times you asked your family and friends to help you (us). The bill has gone further than ever before and we now have some new information to use next year.

All the seats in the Assembly are up for election this November. If you are in Assm Janele Hyer-Spencer (D) 60th District - East Shore of Staten Island and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn - please consider voting for her. She believes in the bill and has fought harder and louder than any other legislator we have seen. We don't want to lose her or her amazing Legislative Director, Jessica.

Hope you will join us next year!

Help Needed ASAP

2010-06-30T20:52:00.000-04:00

The CBRS bill is going to be heard by the Ways & Means Committee tomorrow (Thursday, July 1st).

We need emails sent to the following UNDECIDED members. They want to hear from us and want to be persuaded by the facts (see a partial list below).

Copy & Paste into an email:

AubryJ@assembly.state.ny.us,CahillK@assembly.state.ny.us,FarrelH@assembly.state.ny.us,JacobsR@assembly.state.ny.us,GanttD@assembly.state.ny.us,GlickD@assembly.state.ny.us,Hoopere@assembly.state.ny.us,HoytS@assembly.state.ny.us,Morellej@assembly.state.ny.us,NolanC@assembly.state.ny.us,ParmenW@assembly.state.ny.us,PretloJ@assembly.state.ny.us,Weinsth@assembly.state.ny.us,WrightK@assembly.state.ny.us

Factual Reasons - Why there should be a CBRS

This bill was first introduced into NYS government in 2003. Nearly 13,000 New York State families have since buried their stillborn child.

1 in 100 births in New York State results in a stillbirth.

NYS Public Health Law §4160 recognizes a fetal death as both a birth and a death. It requires the burial or cremation of the stillborn fetus. To be consistent, then, NYS law should also acknowledge the birth of the fetus. The CBRS will accomplish this inconsistency.

Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004 provides legal rights for an unborn fetus post 20 weeks gestation without infringing upon abortion laws. With this law in place, there should not be any concern that A.4375 will infringe on abortion laws.

Costs to the state registrar and local registrars will be minor and offset by the certificate fee.

The terms "live birth" and "stillbirth" exists because both events are a birth.

A.4375 has been overwhelmingly approved by the Assembly Health committee. The Health committee has had regular dealings with the major opposition groups whose concerns have been alleviated.

In the past 9 years, 27 states have passed similar bills, granting parents the option of obtaining a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth, without repercussions to existing right-to-choose laws.

The words "This certificate is not proof of a live birth" will appears on each certificate.

Send your email now!

12 Undecided

2010-06-22T17:52:00.000-04:00

Our bill is still in the Assembly Ways & Means committee.

Out of the 35 members in the Assembly Ways & Means committee, 12 haven't made a decision yet.

These members are waiting to make their decision of support based on facts. Some of the more significant facts are listed below. Cut & Paste the email addresses into a new email and share a fact or two along with your request that they support Assembly Bill #4375.

While it can be difficult to stay away from the emotional reasons for wanting this bill to pass, we ask everyone to focus on using the below facts to persuade the remaining Ways & Means committee members.

Thank you!

For all of our Children....

Copy & Paste the below addresses into the 'Send To:' box:
AubryJ@assembly.state.ny.us,CahillK@assembly.state.ny.us,FarrelH@assembly.state.ny.us,JacobsR@assembly.state.ny.us,GanttD@assembly.state.ny.us,GlickD@assembly.state.ny.us,Hoopere@assembly.state.ny.us,HoytS@assembly.state.ny.us,Morellej@assembly.state.ny.us,NolanC@assembly.state.ny.us,ParmenW@assembly.state.ny.us,PretloJ@assembly.state.ny.us,Weinsth@assembly.state.ny.us,WrightK@assembly.state.ny.us

Copy a few facts into your request for support of bill A.4375:

This bill was first introduced into NYS government in 2003. Nearly 13,000 New York State families have since buried their stillborn child.

1 in 100 births in New York State results in a stillbirth.

NYS Public Health Law §4160 recognizes a fetal death as both a birth and a death. It requires the burial or cremation of the stillborn fetus. To be consistent, then, NYS law should also acknowledge the birth of the fetus. The CBRS will accomplish this inconsistency.

Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004 provides legal rights for an unborn fetus post 20 weeks gestation without infringing upon abortion laws. With this law in place, there should not be any concern that A.4375 will infringe on abortion laws.

Costs to the state registrar and local registrars will be minor and offset by the certificate fee.

The terms "live birth" and "stillbirth" exists because both events are a birth.

A.4375 has been overwhelmingly approved by the Assembly Health committee. The Health committee has had regular dealings with the major opposition groups whose concerns have been alleviated.

In the past 9 years, 27 states have passed similar bills, granting parents the option of obtaining a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth, without repercussions to existing right-to-choose laws.

The words "This certificate is not proof of a live birth" will appears on each certificate.

It PASSED!

2010-06-14T19:48:00.001-04:00

The CBRS bill passed the Assembly Health Committee -- unopposed!

We need your help one more time. The bill is going to the Ways & Means Committee for a vote.

It takes less than a minute to tell the Assembly Ways & Means Committee to vote YES for the NY Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill.

Copy & Paste this message into a new email:

Please vote YES on the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill #A.4375. Thank you for your support. -- NAME - CITY - PHONE

Copy & Paste the below addresses into the 'Send To:' box:

AubryJ@assembly.state.ny.us,BarclaW@assembly.state.ny.us,BoyleP@assembly.state.ny.us,CahillK@assembly.state.ny.us,ColtonW@assembly.state.ny.us,CookV@assembly.state.ny.us,CrouchC@assembly.state.ny.us,CusickM@assembly.state.ny.us,DestitR@assembly.state.ny.us,EspailA@assembly.state.ny.us,FarrelH@assembly.state.ny.us,FitzpatrickM@assembly.state.ny.us,GanttD@assembly.state.ny.us,GlickD@assembly.state.ny.us,HayesJ@assembly.state.ny.us,HoytS@assembly.state.ny.us,JacobsR@assembly.state.ny.us,LentolJ@assembly.state.ny.us,McEnenJ@assembly.state.ny.us,MolinaroM@assembly.state.ny.us,morellej@assembly.state.ny.us,NolanC@assembly.state.ny.us,OmaraT@assembly.state.ny.us,ParmenW@assembly.state.ny.us,PerryN@assembly.state.ny.us,PretloJ@assembly.state.ny.us,ScarboW@assembly.state.ny.us,SchimmR@assembly.state.ny.us,ScozzaD@assembly.state.ny.us,SpanoM@assembly.state.ny.us,ThieleF@assembly.state.ny.us,WrightK@assembly.state.ny.us

I will let everyone know the results of this new vote.

Thank you everyone!

Assembly Vote ~ Monday June 14

2010-06-11T22:15:00.003-04:00

Good news to share!

The Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill will be voted on by the Assembly Health Committee this Monday, June 14th. When it passes, it will be sent to the Assembly Ways & Means Committee for a vote and then to the Floor for a full Assembly vote.

We are asking EVERYONE to send an email to Health Committee members before Monday, June 14th.

In a new email, copy & paste the below list of names into 'Send To:' and use the example below or write your own message.

Ask family & friends to make a call or send an email on behalf of your child.

I will post the results of the Assembly Health Committee vote Monday afternoon.

Thank you everyone!

For all of our Children....

Cut & Paste into Email:
GottfriedR@assembly.state.ny.us,BacallesJ@assembly.state.ny.us,BingJ@assembly.state.ny.us,CahillK@assembly.state.ny.us,CastelliR@assembly.state.ny.us,ConteJ@assembly.state.ny.us,CymbroS@assembly.state.ny.us,DinowiJ@assembly.state.ny.us,GalefS@assembly.state.ny.us,GuntheA@assembly.state.ny.us,HevesiA@assembly.state.ny.us,JacobsR@assembly.state.ny.us,LavineC@assembly.state.ny.us,MagnarW@assembly.state.ny.us,MayersN@assembly.state.ny.us,McDonoD@assembly.state.ny.us,MillerJ@assembly.state.ny.us,PaulinA@assembly.state.ny.us,PeopleC@assembly.state.ny.us,QuinnJ@assembly.state.ny.us,RiveraN@assembly,state.ny.us,RosentL@assembly.state.ny.us,SchimmR@assembly.state.ny.us,TobaccoL@assembly.state.ny.us,TownsD@assembly.state.ny.us

Example Message: As a member of the Health Committee, please vote YES on the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill #A.4375 on Monday. My child [grandchild, niece, nephew, etc], NAME, was stillborn on [date].
Thank you for your support.
- NAME - CITY - PHONE

The Waiting Game

2010-05-24T10:51:00.000-04:00

The delay of the NY State budget has prevented our bill (and many others) from moving forward. While we wait, take this time to contact Senate Health Chair, Senator Thomas Duane. Due to new leadership in the Senate this year, Senator Duane had taken over the Health Committee and does not see the importance of our bill.

Email, write or call him. Share your story. Tell him to put Senate bill 765a on the agenda for a vote!

Thank you for your Support

2010-03-29T09:58:00.001-04:00

Thank you for signing the NY CBRS petition and sending the emails. Tell your families and friends! We need the legislators to hear how important this bill is.

(3) links to forward to your family/friends:

Petition - Senate Health Chair, Thomas Duane:http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/support---ny-certificate-of-birth-resulting-in-stillbirth-bill

Email - Senate Health Chair:http://citizenspeak.org/node/1957

Email - Senate Health Committee members:http://citizenspeak.org/node/1968

Want to know if your Senator or Assemblymember supports the bill?

Visit http://nymap.elections.state.ny.us/nysboe/ to determine who your reps are (last 2 names).

Then visit http://www.CBRStally.blogspot.com for a list of our supporters (by county). If they don't support the bill....call them, send an email or letter...ask them to support the NY CBRS. Tell them why it is important to you.

This bill will only pass if they hear from you.

Act Now! Tell the Senate Health Committee

2010-03-23T13:48:00.014-04:00

Just a few minutes of your time can help the passage of the NY Certificate of Birth resulting in Stillbirth bill.

Join us in telling the NY Senate Health committee to place S.765a [CBRS] on the health committee's agenda and vote on it.

Click on all (3) of the links, your support of the NY CBRS will be sent to the Senate Health committee members.

Petition - Senate Health Chair, Thomas Duane: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/support---ny-certificate-of-birth-resulting-in-stillbirth-bill

Email - Senate Health Chair: http://citizenspeak.org/node/1957

Email - Senate Health Committee members: http://citizenspeak.org/node/1968

We are so close to having the bill pass this year! Won't you please help?

Send the links to your family and friends.

Round 2: Senate

2010-02-24T12:59:00.005-05:00

While we wait for the Assembly to vote on the CBRS bill, it is time to persuade the Senate that passing this bill is the right thing.

The bill had passed the full Senate in both 2007 & 2008 under Majority Leader Joe Bruno. Since his retirement at the end of 2008, the bill has stalled in the Health Committee under Chairman, Senator Thomas Duane (Manhattan).

In order for the bill to pass in 2010, we are working on two items:

1. Get a majority of senators to sponsor the bill
2. Get the senate health committee to move the bill to the senate floor

We need YOUR help.

Visit CBRS Tally to help!

Next Step: The Senate

2010-02-13T18:29:00.000-05:00

The Assembly vote should be scheduled shortly. We will let everyone know when that date is determined. If you currently do not receive email updates from us, sign up on the right.

Both the Assembly and Senate are on break until February 22, 2010. When they return we will have information on how to help the bill pass the Senate.

Thank you again, everyone, for your continued support.

Parents of stillborns deserve option of a birth certificate

2010-02-12T12:02:00.001-05:00

Published in Newsday
By DANIELLE LEACOCK

Danielle Leacock of North Babylon is active with StillParents NY, a group of parents lobbying for the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill (CBRSbill.blogspot.com).

Three years ago tomorrow, my husband, Eric, and I delivered our daughter, Kailen Marie. A moment that should have been filled with joy was full of grief.

The night before I sensed something wasn't right, as I had not felt my baby move. I snacked on a granola bar and some apple juice, thinking the sugar would get her moving, but nothing happened. I called my doctor, who instructed me to meet him at the hospital. A nurse there placed a Doppler on my belly to listen for the heartbeat. We did not hear it.

My husband and I prayed as we waited for an ultrasound. When my doctor arrived and placed the wand on my belly, I looked at the monitor and saw my baby girl, still, as if she were posing in a picture. Her heart was not beating. We lost her.

The words, "I'm sorry, your baby is not alive," echoed in the room. Our lives forever changed in that moment.

I delivered my baby by C-section, and while I recovered from the surgery we held Kailen and said hello and goodbye in a few short hours. We didn't want to let her go, but we had to. It was the hardest thing that we had ever gone through. Informing our 2- and 4-year-old sons that their baby sister would not be coming home was unbearable.

A week later, we buried our daughter, something no parent should ever have to do. After the whirlwind of events had passed, we realized that we never received documentation acknowledging her birth.

New York does not issue any certificate to legally acknowledge the nearly 2,000 stillborn babies who are delivered every year in this state. More babies are stillborn than die of sudden infant death syndrome every year - eight to 10 times more. But the issue of stillbirth has always been kept quiet. Mothers and fathers have been denied the acknowledgment, comfort and dignity that is due them.

For the past few years, a bill has been circulating in Albany that would allow parents of stillborn babies the option to request and purchase a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. The current Assembly bill is sponsored by Assemb. Janele Hyer-Spencer (D-Staten Island). Sen. William Larkin (R-New Windsor) is sponsoring the bill in the Senate.

Opposition to this bill seems to entangle stillbirth with the hot-button topic of abortion. But this is not a complex issue. It's about recognition and acknowledgment for mourning parents. It should not fall victim to anyone's political agenda.

There would be no financial cost to the state, as parents who choose to receive a certificate would purchase it; the fee would cover any costs that might be associated with producing the new certificate.

Parents are required by the state to bury or cremate their baby. Recognizing the process of childbirth these parents endured is the psychologically humane, medically appropriate and logical thing to do.

Twenty-seven states - including New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island - have already passed similar bills. But since its first introduction in 2003 and a redrafting in 2007, the bill has been stalled in New York. The Assembly has failed to push the bill to a floor vote. The Senate passed versions of it in 2007 and 2008 under then-Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, but did nothing with the proposal last year.

New York legislators should acknowledge families' grief by providing this documentation. The option for a Certificate of Birth as a Result of Stillbirth is what my daughter and the thousands of other stillborns in New York State deserve.

16 Names !

2010-01-22T19:51:00.018-05:00

Update 2/12/2010: We have secured 83 Assembly sponsors! Vote TBD....

We have just been informed that if we secure 80 Assembly sponsors our bill will go to the Floor for a full Assembly vote.

The best part is that we only need 16 more names.

Do you live in the county of:

Bronx ~ Chautauqua ~ Cortand ~ Dutchess
Erie ~Genesee ~ Kings ~Jefferson

Lewis ~ Monroe ~ Nassau ~ New York

Niagara ~ Orange ~ Orleans ~ Oswego
Queens ~ Rensselaer ~ Rockland ~ Saratoga

Schenectady ~ St Lawrence ~ Suffolk

Tompkins ~ Ulster ~Washington

Email Paige. We are looking for people to send a simple email out to their Representative.

Can you help? Click on this LINK to get more information.

Good news for CBRS bill

2009-11-12T16:15:00.005-05:00

Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington (D-Suffolk) has won her local town clerk (Brookhaven, NY) position so she will be stepping down from the assembly.

There will be a special assembly election to fill her seat ~ date announced later this year.

We are hopeful that it will be won by someone who will support the CBRS bill.

One less NO vote for us!

Remember...October 15th

2009-10-15T00:01:00.001-04:00

Today is the day we remember, together.

October 15th.

We light a candle.

We think about the past.

We cry for the future that is not.

Make a promise today. On this day...next year...we will all have a Certificate in our hands.

Naomi Wolf Supports CBRS

2009-09-27T15:55:00.001-04:00

Naomi Wolf - an advocate of feminist causes and progressive politics - has just posted a piece on whether parents should be entitled to a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth.

Check out the discussion and add your own comments:

Facebook: Naomi Wolf

This is a huge accomplishment for the NY CBRS bill.

October 15th Memorial Video

2009-09-10T10:04:00.009-04:00

*Update: YouTube links below. (10/13/09)

*Update: Response was overwhelming. Video should be posted soon.(10/3/09)

October15th.com is putting together a memorial video of all of our babies in remembrance of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day on October 15, 2009.

If you would like to include your child in the video, email Audra Leighton:

1. photo or ultrasound of your baby(ies) or special graphic

2. Baby's name

3. Birth/death date

Send the information by September 29, 2009.

The video will be posted on YouTube, FaceBook, October 15 web site.... everywhere imaginable.

For all of our Children....

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6IYnmKy0-w
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWgIGglnx7E
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpUzmdTdmdQ
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_trURzP_dDU
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sk01MOQTr8
Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do5fovnmKcY

CBRS - Fight not over

2009-07-16T11:47:00.003-04:00

The legislative session this year was the most frustrating and oddest we have experienced to date.

As soon as it begun in January, the door was closed. Even through the hard work of parents across NY, who were able to secure more Assembly sponsors and yes votes - for a total of 123 out of 150 members. It was clear the bill would not be moving out of the Assembly Ways & Means committee. In addition, the lack of movement in Senate House was unexpected and given the recent unstable climate in there, 2009 just wasn't our year.

We will be working on a new approach for the 2010 legislative session. We hope all of you will join us and help to pass the CBRS bill.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at anytime. We welcome suggestions, ideas or contacts you may have made.

We will continue to update everyone. Thank you for your support!

Legislation from First Candle

2009-07-16T10:21:00.018-04:00

Important Stillbirth legislation has been introduced on July 14, 2009.

The Stillbirth and SUID Prevention, Education and Awareness Act of 2009 was filed by US Senator Lautenberg (NJ) and US House Representative Pallone (NJ).

This bill would help reduce the number of unexpected infant deaths in America by calling for new research and education on stillbirths and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).

With your help, the passing of this new law would expand current data collection activities and create a public awareness and education campaign. Both items will have a compounding effect on medical advances and how Stillbirth is viewed by the public.

How can you help?

Contact New York State's US House Representative: www.house.gov. BILL HR3212

There are 29 members in the House. One member represents the district you reside in. Look up your zip+4 and enter it in the upper left corner.
Contact New York State's TWO US Senators: BILL S1445

Kirsten Gillibrand -- http://gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/
Charles Schumer -- http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm

Email, mail or call them. Visit www.firstcandle.com for a sample letter or simply relay this brief message:

I am writing to ask for your support and co-sponsorship of the Stillbirth and SUID Prevention, Education, and Awareness Act of 2009 (Lautenberg/Pallone). Bills HR3212 and S1445 would help reduce the number of unexpected infant deaths in America by calling for new research and education on stillbirths and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Every year, there are more than 25,000 stillbirths and more than 4,600 sudden unexpected infant deaths in the United States.

This bill is important to me [include brief personal story].

Please support New York State parents and co-sponsor this important piece of legislature.

Sincerely,
Name, Address, Phone, Email

When you receive a response, contact First Candle or Email Me and I will gladly relay the message to First Candle.

It is our hope that this US Legislation will help further the passage of the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill here in NY.

Senate Bill #S1445

House Bill #HR3212

A way for your voice to be heard....

2009-02-25T16:34:00.006-05:00

First Candle is working hard to get the Stillbirth Awareness & Research Act bill passed in Washington, DC. One section of the bill recommends that states pass the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill.

On March 25th, bereaved parents and other infant health advocates from around the country will be coming together on Capitol Hill to lobby for important legislation related to stillbirth, SIDS and SUID (sudden unexpected infant death.) They want your help in creating a Baby Memorial Album which will leave a lasting reminder to Congress why these bills are important.

To add your child's name and/or picture, visit http://www.firstcandle.org/our-babies.

Submission deadline is March 10th.

Assm Health Committee Vote - Feb 24

2009-02-17T20:34:00.009-05:00

*UPDATE -- The bill passed the Assembly Health committee today (2/24) and is now in the Assembly Ways & Means committee. Thank you to Everyone!

The Assembly Health committee will vote on the CBRS bill February 24th. If it passes, we can expect the bill to be sent to the Ways & Means committee.

Email, Fax or call the below Assembly Health Committee members.

Ask them to vote YES for Bill A4375 - The Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill.

Chair
Richard N. Gottfried (co-sponsor)

Members
Jim Bacalles
Jonathan L. Bing
Kevin A. Cahill
James D. Conte
Steven Cymbrowitz
Jeffrey Dinowitz
Patricia A. Eddington
Sandy Galef
Aileen M. Gunther
Andrew Hevesi
Rhoda Jacobs
Charles D. Lavine
William B. Magnarelli
Nettie Mayersohn
David G. McDonough
Joel M. Miller
Amy Paulin
Crystal D. Peoples
Jack Quinn
Andrew P. Raia
Naomi Rivera
Linda B. Rosenthal
Robin Schimminger
Lou Tobacco
Darryl C. Towns

Click on link for their contact info.

We will post the results of the voting on the 25th.

Newsweek Stillbirth Article

2009-02-02T20:22:00.008-05:00

There is well written article in Newsweek that has just been published: A Vast and Sudden Sadness. The writer, Claudia Kalb, contacted us a while back and we spoke at great length about the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill.

Unfortunately, this article focused on the "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" photography program -- an excellent program which gives parents lasting memories of their child through photographs -- but a lost opportunity to talk about the CBRS.

We are asking everyone to contact Claudia Kalb at Newsweek. (webEditors@newsweek.com)

We'd like you to Thank her for her article on Stillbirth and to ask if she would consider writing one on the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill. There are still 25 states that do not offer this important document to parents. Which, much like the cherished photographs, are another way for parents to honor and remember their child.

Legislative Session has begun....

2009-01-28T18:58:00.007-05:00

The 2009 NY legislative session has begun and with it, our determination to make this year the year that the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill is passed.

We Need Your Help!

Take a few minutes and make two phone calls.

Those two calls will make all the difference this year. Your Senate and Assembly members want to hear from you. They want to know what is important to you. Tell them this bill is the one you want them to pass this year.

It Is Easy!

1. Log on to: http://nymap.elections.state.ny.us/nysboe/

Type in your address. Your representatives will be the last two names listed. Click on their names to view their web page.

2. Call their local offices.

Ask to speak to their Legislative Assistant regarding the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill. (Senate sponsor: Bill Larkin; Assembly sponsor: Janele Hyer-Spencer)

3. Tell them you are a constituent (a voter in their district).

4. If no one is avaliable - ask to leave a message for the Legislative Assistant.

What To Say?

1. I am in support of the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill. As a mother/father/grandparent/other & constituent I am watching this bill. I believe that families, like mine, who suffer the tragedy of having a stillborn child deserve to receive recognition of the birth with a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. [briefly share your personal story - if you choose to]

2. Can I expect the Senator/Assemblyperson to vote YES when this bill comes up for any votes?

(Yes?) -- Thank them for their support. Mail a follow-up letter confirming and thanking them for their support. They will keep your letter along with other documents regarding the bill and refer to it prior to any voting they do.

(No?) -- Ask them to share the reason(s) why. Schedule an appointment to speak to the legislative assistant in person to share your personal story and discus why they should support the bill.

(Undecided?) -- Schedule an appointment with the legislative assistant to share your personal story and discuss why they should support the bill.

Whenever possible, make an appointment to speak to someone in person. A face-to-face meeting has more impact than a phone call, letter or email. Likewise, a phone call is more effective than a letter and lastly an email.

Contact Us.

Email Paige with confirmed YES/NO/UNDECIDED responses.

We will track votes to focus efforts where needed.

Thank you for your support!

Light a Candle ~ December 14

2008-12-08T13:50:00.008-05:00

May this candle burning bright
Through the darkness of the night
Be seen by our little ones up above
And know that they are truly loved.

On Sunday, December 14th at 7:00 pm, there is a worldwide candle lighting for all babies and
children who have died. It starts in New Zealand at 7:00 pm and continues throughout the world.

Light a candle in your window and join us in creating a 24 hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone - to remember all of our Children.

CBRS Bill on YouTube

2008-11-16T14:33:00.010-05:00

Help us create a YouTube video!

Join us in this venture and help spread awareness of Stillbirth and the NY Bill....

Submit a picture of your child to Jeff.

Include your Name(s) and County

Your Child's name (phonetically spelled, if necessary).

For this particular video, we are only looking for pictures of children that were born in New York State.

Any questions, please contact Jeff or Paige.

Welcome

2008-10-26T09:55:00.005-04:00

Information about the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill was displayed at Walks in New York throughout the month of October.

We welcome those that are visiting this site for the first time.

We hope that each of you will help support our efforts by sending an email/letter to your Senate & Assembly members asking them for their support. There is a sample letter on the right. When you hear from them, please let us know. It helps to know where to focus our efforts.

There is a Conference Call on Tuesday, October 28th at 9pm (est) regarding the New York CBRS bill. We will talk about our plans for the upcoming 2009 legislative session. To join the conversation, Email me and the agenda and call information will be sent to you.

We welcome your involvement as we work together to pass this important bill.

** The conference call was postponed due to technical problems. It will be rescheduled soon. If you would like to be contacted about the new date/time, please contact me.

Light a Candle - Send a Letter ~ Oct 15th

2008-10-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

Join us in remembering Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month by submitting to your local newspaper a Letter To The Editor.

We will track all the newspapers that have been written to and which ones publish the letter HERE. Just tell us who you wrote to: email us.

Send the below letter now....

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

On this day, and everyday, more than 70 new parents will have listened to their stillborn baby’s silence. The births of these babies are not acknowledged by the state.

The car seat is empty; the nursery remains unused; family and friends say both hello and goodbye to the baby during the funeral. Families are left with few memories and the question of “Why?“.

Stillbirth is the leading cause of infant death, with nearly 30,000 stillborn babies in the US -- and 2,000 in New York State -- every year. Typically, the medical causes are unknown. In 2001, the U.S. National Institute of Health awarded only $442,000, or $3.32 per stillborn infant, for stillbirth research. The reasons for this lack of funding is unclear.

There is a state bill that can increase awareness of the tragedy of Stillbirth: Bill A8960 / S186a. The bill does not change current NYS Public Health Law; it simply gives parents the option to request a certificate to acknowledge childbirth. The passage of this legislation can have a positive impact on a family grieving the loss of a child while increasing the nation’s awareness of stillbirth.

Write to your Senate and Assembly members. Ask them to support this bill. Ignoring this tragedy will not prevent it from occurring; if we do nothing, nearly 30,000 babies will be stillborn again this year. Support the New York Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill. Your support will make a difference.

Visit www.CBRSbill.blogspot.com.

Law Could Help Stillbirth Research

2008-10-09T08:38:00.004-04:00

Conference Call ~ October 29th

2008-09-30T10:45:00.010-04:00

** Update: Date has been changed to Tuesday, October 28th 9:00pm **

We will be conducting a conference call on the NY Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill. We will discuss our strategy for the upcoming 2009 legislative session and ways everyone can help.

Wednesday, October 29th 9:00pm

If you are interested, please email me. We will send out details prior to the call.

Memorial Walks Needed

2008-06-30T22:52:00.006-04:00

If anyone knows of any Memorial Walks in New York State that will be held in conjunction with the October Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month or any similar events, please Email Me.

We would like to be able to get information about the bill directly to those that would benefit from its passage and increase our support throughout New York. Walks that we know about are listed on the right.

Thank you.

Session has Ended

2008-06-25T12:01:00.004-04:00

Session has come to yet another end without our state recognizing the birth of our children.

Many of you have pledged your efforts when session starts again. Those efforts will be essential for our success. Enough cannot be said about the tremendous effort and energy put out by all of you over the past few weeks. Now, more than ever before, the NYS legislators know about our bill. They know about the powerful forces behind it. They know we will not go away. They know to expect many future waves of calls, e-mails, faxes, and letters.

Please join us in thanking our bill sponsor, Janele Hyer-Spencer, for all she has done for our cause. Ms. Hyer-Spencer is up for re-election this year so please offer any assistance to ensure that she remains in office and our voice in the Assembly.

Keep in touch with your reps (both houses) to make sure they are representing you when it comes time to make a decision.

We will resume our fight in August.

For all our children,

Paige, Michelle, Jeff and Lori

It's Over...

2008-06-19T23:21:00.005-04:00

It's over.....

The bill is being "held" for consideration. Meaning it isn't going anywhere uless we let them kow that this is not okay with us. We only have one shot. Only one day.

It's over....unless you can help by making phone calls, faxing and emailing your story to Assembly Speaker Silver; Chair of Ways & Means, Assemblyman Farrell and the Ways & Means Committee members.

Call, Fax, Email them all. Tell them "For a state that supposedly supports women, the Assembly has done a great job of attempting to sweep bereaved women under the carpet and hope we go away." Don't let them do this. Tell YOUR story.

Click on their name for their webpage to find their Email and Phone numbers.

Assembly Speaker - Albany Fax ~ District Office Fax
Sheldon Silver 518-455-5459 ~ 212-312-1425

Chair Ways & Means - Albany Fax ~ District Office Fax
Herman D. Farrell, Jr. 518-455-5776 ~ 212-234-1868

Ways & Means
Committee - Albany Fax ~ District Office Fax
Adriano Espaillat 518-455-4908 ~212-544-2252
Aurelia Greene 518-455-5461 ~ 718-538-3310
Brian M. Kolb 518-455-4650 ~ 35-781-1746
Catherine Nolan 518-455-3847 ~ 718-417-4982
Clifford W. Crouch 518-455-5864 ~ 607-648-6089
Daniel J. Burling 518-455-5691 ~ 585-786-0182
David F. Gantt 518-455-5419 ~ 585-454-3788
Deborah J. Glick 518-455-4649 ~ 212-674-5530
Dede Scozzafava 518-455-5289 ~ 315-287-2895
Earlene Hooper 518-455-4329 ~ 516-538-3155
Fred W. Thiele, Jr. 518-455- 5963 ~ 631-537-2836
Helene E. Weinstein 518-455-5752 ~ 718-769-4846
Ivan C. Lafayette 518-455-4547 ~ 718-335-8254
J. Gary Pretlow 518-455-5447 ~ 914-667-0209
Jeffrion L. Aubry 518-455-4565 ~ 718-457-3640
Jim Hayes 518-455-5023 ~ 716-634-1250
John J. McEneny 518-455-5737 ~ same
Joseph D. Morelle 518-455-5647 ~ 585-467-5342
Joseph R. Lentol 518-455-4599 ~ 718-383-1576
Kevin A. Cahill 518-455-5576 ~ 845-338-9590
Mark Weprin 518-455-5977 ~ 718-428-8575
Mike Spano 518-455-5499 ~ 914-779-8859
N. Nick Perry 518-455-5478 ~ 718-385-3339
Nancy Calhoun 518-455-5884 ~ 845-567-3910
Rhoda Jacobs 518-455-3881 ~ 718-421-4396
RoAnn M. Destito 518-455-5928 ~ 315-732-1413
Robin Schimminger 518-455-4724 ~ 716-873-5675
Roy McDonald 518-455-3727 ~ 518-747-7203
Ruben Diaz, Jr. 518-455-5827 ~ 718-842-8731
Sam Hoyt 518-455-4890 ~ 716-855-936
Vivian E. Cook 518-455-3606 ~ 718-322-4085
William A. Barclay 518-455-5362 ~ 315-592-2359
William Colton 518-455-5706 ~ 718-236-6507
William L. Parment 518-455-4328 ~ 716-483-0299

Time is Running Out...

2008-06-16T21:57:00.005-04:00

The bill will be voted on by the (35) members on the Ways & Means committee in the next couple of days. If there is majority vote in support, it will be placed on the Assembly calendar and voted on by the full Assembly (150) members at some point before the end of session (6/23).

The bill hasn't passed yet so we continue to need YOUR help.

1. phone & email & fax the ways & means committee members and ask them for their support: List of Committee Members

2. phone & email & fax your Assembly member asking for their support: Who is my Assemblymember?

Your Assembly member and the Ways/Means committee members NEED to hear from you RIGHT NOW.

The vote in the Ways & Means committee will take place in the next day or two. Half of the members are undecided....it is up to you to help them make the right choice.

Make a call, send an email, send a fax, visit their local office...asking them for their support of Assembly Bill 8960.

Father's Day Press Conference

2008-06-15T10:54:00.007-04:00

Father's Day Press Conference held on the steps of NYC Hall ~ June 15, 2008 ~ promoting the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill.

News Conference - June 15 - NY City Hall

2008-06-11T15:54:00.007-04:00

WHAT: Conference to support the passage of New York State Assembly Bill (A8960) “Certificate of Birth Resulting in a Stillbirth”

WHO: NY State Senator Eric Adams

WHEN: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 15

WHERE: steps outside City Hall : 260 Broadway, New York, NY 10007

Join us there & show your support of the CBRS bill.

6/16/08 update: The news conference was a success! Thank you to everyone who was able to attend. Watch it: CBRS Bill ~ News Conference

Parents Needed for Interviews!

2008-06-06T14:29:00.008-04:00

To Parents all over New York State:

If anyone is interested in the possibility of being interviewed by the media regarding the CBRS bill, please email Paige.

The topics covered you would need to be open to discussing:

your experience with stillbirth
failure of the NY Assembly to move on Bill A8960 (introduced since 2003)

Email your Full Name, Address, Day/Eve phone.

Your information will be included as contact information included with a press release informing the media that the Assembly has, once again, ignored grieving parents.

Online Petition ~ Sign Now !

2008-06-03T14:52:00.005-04:00

Update: petition is now closed.

This is our final plea to get Assembly Bill 8960 - Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth - to the Assembly Floor for a vote before session ends on June 23rd.

Sign the online PETITION to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver asking him to use his authority to allow the bill to move out of the Ways & Means Committee to the Assembly Floor.

Click on this link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ny-stillbirth-bill

The petition will be open through June 10th and delivered to Speaker Silver's office in Albany.

Forward the link to everyone ~ ask them to sign the petition in memory of your child.

Session is Ending...we need your HELP!

2008-05-19T10:12:00.009-04:00

Update: link is now closed.

Time is running out!

New York Legislative session ends on June 23rd.

The Bill has continued to STALL in the Ways & Means committee (since January 29, 2008).

It is their responsibility to review bills and determine the financial impact on the state. 23 states have now passed similar bills & have reported no negative fiscal impact. Instead, states have generated income via the certificate fees.

They know this. They need to be good stewards of their position and move this bill out of their committee.

The Senate passed the bill 58-1. They need to give the Assembly its turn.

Click on this link: http://tinyurl.com/yqokqh

It will take less than 30 seconds to send an email to the Ways & Means Committee members. Join us in asking the committee members to move Bill A8960 out of their committee so it can come in front of the full Assembly for a floor vote.

Pass this information to everyone you know and ask them to show their support of the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill for you.

Thank you!

For every family that has faced the tragedy of a stillbirth; for every family that will face this tragedy ...help us pass the CBRS Bill.

update: Over 400 emails have been sent since June 3
update: 512 email were sent as of end of session on June 23...Thank You.

What color is your NYS County?

2008-05-02T11:31:00.023-04:00

Do you live or work in any of the WHITE New York State Counties below?

If you answered 'YES', we need your help!

Please contact me.

5/6/08 update: Richmond County is now yellow!

6/11/08 update: Genesee, Wyoming & Allegany are yellow!

Contact Ways & Means committee members

2008-04-22T09:33:00.023-04:00

The end of session (June 23rd) is approaching quickly. As the bill is currently in the Ways & Means committee, it is important to convey your SUPPORT of the bill to the members of that committee. They will soon have the responsibility of deciding if the bill should continue to move forward.

They need to hear from you.

Currently, emails are being sent the the Ways & Means Chair, Assemblyman Farrell, asking him to put the bill on his agenda so that it can be voted on by the rest of the committee members. With their majority vote, the bill can move forward in this legislative process. The committee has 34 members. We have confirmed 17 votes and need your help with the remaining 17 members.

They need to hear from you:

Email, write or call all seventeen (17) remaining Assembly members that are on the Ways & Means Committee. Ask them to support the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill #A8960 by voting YES to move it out of their committee. (see ways & means committee sample letter on the right in blue).

Ways & Means Committee Members:

Jeffrion L. Aubry
Daniel J. Burling
William Colton
Ruben Diaz, Jr.
Adriano Espaillat
David F. Gantt
Deborah J. Glick
Aurelia Greene
Earlene Hooper
Sam Hoyt
Joseph R. Lentol
Joseph D. Morelle
Catherine Nolan
J. Gary Pretlow
Fred W. Thiele, Jr.
Helene E. Weinstein
Mark Weprin

We Thank you for your continued support for the passage of this bill.

One Click is all it takes to Help

2008-04-12T10:09:00.026-04:00

Update: link is now closed.

We Need Your Help! It will take less that a minute to show your support.

The Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill has stalled in the Assembly. It is in the Ways & Means Committee to which it was reported on June 12, 2007 and then again on January 29, 2008. There are no signs that it is going anywhere.

We need your help in asking the Chair of the committee, Assemblyman Herman Farrell, to support the bill by voting it out of his committee.

The job of the Ways & Means Committee is to determine what financial impact bills will have on the state. Twenty-two (22) other states have passed similar legislation and have determined there is no negative financial impact - - rather, this legislation has generated income through certificate fees.

The Senate has already passed this bill 58-1. Now is the time for the Assembly to show its support of the bill through their own floor vote. But that can't happen unless the bill gets out of the Ways & Means Committee.

You can help us. It will take less than one minute.

Click on this link: http://tinyurl.com/yqokqh

It will send an email letter to Assemblyman & Chair, Herman Farrell, urging him to move our Bill out of his committee.

* Forward the link to everyone you know in New York State.* (use the envelope icon below or cut & paste this posting)

Thank you for YOUR support.

update: Thank you to everyone who has click on the above link....we've had over 600 emails sent as of May 1st.

Contact Your Assemblymember

2008-04-10T13:05:00.010-04:00

The New York State budget has passed and now our Assembly members are back to focusing on passing new legislation (like our bill).

Now is the perfect time to send out your emails, letters or phone calls to your Assemblymember -- Even if you have already done so. We need to keep the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill in their radar.

Find out who your Assemblymember is: Who is my Assemblymember?

Email, write, call or visit them. Ask them to support Assembly Bill #A8960. Use the sample letter [SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE] or write your own.

When you receive your reply....let me know. It will help us focus our efforts where it matters most.

Consider joining us in Albany & lobby to get the Bill passed. Email Paige.

Next Visit to Capitol - April 21, 2008

2008-03-31T16:43:00.008-04:00

(visit postponed due to Passover break at Capitol)

Now that the Bill has officially passed the Senate, we are focusing all of our attention on the Assembly. We have less than 2 months to get our bill to the Floor for a full Assembly vote.

If it doesn't get to the Floor by early June, we will have to wait until January 2009 to start the whole process again.

So we are going to have another "lobby day" in Albany on Monday, April 21st.

When we visited Albany in March, we were able to secure a great group of parents (10 of us). I hope to double that size. The more people that can help, the more results we will see from those efforts.

We'll provide everything - directions, where to meet us, history of the bill, why it is important, suggestions on what to say, which offices to visit, etc. You will be in a group so no one will have to go into an office alone.

Join us even if you don't feel comfortable speaking about the bill - morale support is welcomed. Having 3 or 4 parents enter an Assembly member's office shows them that this is an important bill to the families in New York.

Let me know by Friday, April 11th if you are interested in joining us. Email Paige.

If you have questions on what the day will be like, please email me.

Bill passed the Senate

2008-03-26T15:35:00.007-04:00

Great news to report! The bill passed the Senate 58-1 today. Write to your Senator (who is my Senator?) and thank them for their support of the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill #S186a.

We still have a lot of work before the end of session in June to get the bill to the Assembly floor for a vote.

If you haven't written to your Assembly member yet, use the sample letter on the right [SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES]. If you have heard from your Assembly member, let us know. Your information will help us prepare for our next visit to Albany.

Read news article about the Senate vote here.

Stillbirth Symposium - Albany, NY

2008-03-24T15:42:00.005-04:00

I confirmed today that we have TWO more Assembly members who have decided to become co-sponsors on the bill: Assemblymembers Jeffries and Young.

I also wanted everyone to know that the New York State Perinatal Association is hosting a statewide symposium to discuss: The Tragedy & Significance of Stillbirth in NYS. It will take place at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY on April 21, 2008. The public is welcomed.*(see update below)

Visit New York State Perinatal Association for more information. Registration deadline is April 11th.

*Update 4/10/08: the Symposium is FREE for parents.

New Sponsors

2008-03-18T14:03:00.006-04:00

Looks like our hard work is starting to pay off. We've added 8 more Assemblymembers on as sponsors of the bill! We now have a total of 50 members of the Assembly who stand behind our bill and want their names on it.

Thanks and appreciation go out to Assemblymembers: Boyland, Conte, Crouch, Kolb, Lopez P, Mayersohn, Quinn and Towns.

Check Assembly Bill A8960 to see if your Assemblymember is on our bill. If not, email or call them. Ask them: "Why?"

Visit to the Capitol

2008-03-15T12:33:00.004-04:00

On March 6th, we went to Albany to gather support for our bill. I want to thank Tracy, Kristen, Kristine, Whitney, Craig, Sue and Beth for joining Michelle and myself. They worked hard in memory of all of our children.

We visited many Assembly offices. We left information and asked for their support of our bill. We also used that time to visit the offices who support our bill and ask them to consider becoming a co-sponsor. The more sponsors we are able to secure, the quicker our bill will come to an Assembly floor vote.

We are in the midst of calling those offices we visited and we should start seeing the results of our visit shortly. There is still so much to do. But everytime we get the chance to talk about our experience with stillbirth and the bill with legislators, the closer we get to becoming a state that offers parents a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth.

How it Began

2008-03-13T15:55:00.005-04:00

My work with the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth (CBRS) bill started when I was asked to take part in a conference call back on January 29th, 2007 hosted by the MISS Foundation. I listened to valuable information regarding the status of the bill and was asking myself "What can I do?"

I became motivated. I wanted recognition of the birth process I endured for our daughter. So, I sought out parents all over NYS that had suffered the tragedy of a stillbirth and asked for their help. A group of us secured a meeting with Assemblyman Gottfried that March and he agreed to redraft the bill. With his support, we had a new bill and a new Assembly sponsor - Janele Hyer-Spencer.

In June 2007, our bill passed the Senate 59-2 but stalled in the Assembly with the Ways & Means Committee with the end of session.

Now that session has resumed for 2008, I, along with a motivated group of parents in NY, am working diligently for the passage of our bill in the Assembly.

We ask that you contact your Assembly member and use the sample letter to ask for their support. Ask your family, friends, etc to do the same. Your Assembly member wants to hear from you. They won't know the importance of this bill unless you tell them.

Thank you for your support.