MISS Foundation's MISSing Angels Bill Legislation
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
What is the MISSing Angels Bill?The MISSing Angels Bill is a piece of legislation that allows for the issuance of a "Certificate of Birth resulting in Stillbirth (CBRS)" by a state's vital records office for any stillborn infant. Why is the MISSing Angels Bill necessary?Every state in the U.S. already issues a death certificate for all stillbirths. Additionally, each state has a final disposition mandate for stillbirths. Many parents want to have their child's birth certificate in addition to their death certificate. Unfortunately, without legislative change, most states are unable to accomodate the parents' wishes.How did this legislative effort begin?Many parents across the United States have voiced their concerns about the public health policy which issues the death certificate yet completely ignores the woman's process of birth when there is an intrauterine death. Arizona was the first state in the United States to change the law and the first state to issue the CBRS in 2001. MISS Foundation Founder, Joanne Cacciatore-Garard, lobbied the Arizona legislature for more than one year to educate law-makers about stillbirth and to rally support. With the help of many families who wrote and emailed their legislators, HB2416, the MISSing Angels Bill, passed its final vote in the Arizona Senate with unanimous support. Supporter, Senator Susan Gerard said in closing, "The passage of this bill will give much needed respect to those who have experienced the stillbirth of a child. It may even be the first step toward increased knowledge about the causes of stillbirth. In addition, it makes Arizona the first state in what will hopefully be a national trend toward recognizing the significance of this tragedy. I would like to thank Joanne Cacciatore for her leadership and efforts on this bill and her daughter Cheyenne Cacciatore for whom this act is named." How can I get a MISSing Angels Bill passed in my state?Some states have already followed Arizona's lead in issuing the CBRS. If your state has not passed this legislation and you'd like to champion for it, please email Joanne Cacciatore-Garard at joanne@missfoundation.org or call 623.979.1000. More information on the MISSing Angels Bill: Find out if your state has passed this legislationAbout HB2416: An information/fact sheet for law-makers. Arizona State Senate: Read a transcript of the very last hearing on the MISSing Angels Bill. Arizona Press Release: MISSing Angels Bill. The Signing: Arizona Governor, Jane D. Hull, signs the MISSing Angels Bill into law (with photo). Bill Text: The original language of the first MISSing Angels Bill. Letter to Legislators: Read a template of the letter sent by Joanne Cacciatore to Arizona legislatorsTestimony before the Arizona Senate: Read Joanne Cacciatore's testimony before the Senate Health Committee. Hospital Compliance
Letter: Read a letter sent out by the MISS Foundation in Arizona
to local hospitals ensuring compliance with the new law. Communication Strategy:
In Hospital Recommended Protocol for Offering the CBRS. Meeting with
your legislators: A few helpful hints for new political activists! A tally of the
final votes in the Arizona Senate: Both Democrats and Republicans
unite in their voices to support the MISSing Angels Bill Feminists
Support Women Experiencing Stillbirth: A letter to NSS from
Planned Parenthood regarding Arizona's MISSing Angels Bill and the
combined efforts to pass this legislation across the nation Arizona
Vital Records: Notice of Substantive Policy Statement The first Certificate
of Birth resulting in Stillbirth in the United States: See a copy
|
