Dear First Candle Supporters,

It is with much excitement that we announce the passing of new Bill in New York State. This morning, the Assembly Health Committee reported that the State Senate would unanimously, without debate; pass a new Bill granting parents a Certificate of Stillbirth on their agenda early next week. This bill is now in the Assembly Ways & Means Committee.

If you’re in New York State, or know someone currently residing there, we urge you to forward this information along. We encourage everyone – parents, friends, family, neighbors, etc. – in New York to send the below email and include your name, address, and phone number. Session ends on June 20th – 13 days, and the Ways & Means Committee must receive your email before then.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated,
First Candle

Please Copy & Paste the message below and send to the members of the Assembly Ways & Means Committee:

AubryJ@assembly.state.ny.us, BarclaW@assembly.state.ny.us, BoyleP@assembly.state.ny.us, burlind@assembly.state.ny.us, CahillK@assembly.state.ny.us, CalhouN@assembly.state.ny.us, ColtonW@assembly.state.ny.us, CookV@assembly.state.ny.us, CrouchC@assembly.state.ny.us, CusickM@assembly.state.ny.us, FarrelH@assembly.state.ny.us, FitzpatrickM@assembly.state.ny.us, GanttD@assembly.state.ny.us, GlickD@assembly.state.ny.us, HawleyS@assembly.state.ny.us, HayesJ@assembly.state.ny.us, HoytS@assembly.state.ny.us, JacobsR@assembly.state.ny.us, JordanJ@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, OrtizF@assembly.state.ny.us, PerryN@assembly.state.ny.us, PretloJ@assembly.state.ny.us, ScarboW@assembly.state.ny.us, SchimmR@assembly.state.ny.us, SpanoM@assembly.state.ny.us, ThieleF@assembly.state.ny.us, TobaccoL@assembly.state.ny.us, WrightK@assembly.state.ny.us, weinsteinh@assembly.state.ny.us, speaker@assembly.state.ny.us

SUBJECT: A.8178 SUPPORT
MESSAGE:
Dear Honorable Assembly members,
Understanding the busy nature of your schedule, I will be brief. Bill # A8178 will provide Certificates of Still Birth to help families who have experienced this tragedy. Stillbirth is a public health crisis. Every year over 1,700 stillbirths occur in New York State and 25,000 nationwide. The number of reported deaths from stillbirth nearly equals that of all infant deaths combined.

This legislation was first introduced in 2003. The bill pertains only to unintentional fetal demise after 20 weeks gestation and the certificate will be printed with the words “this is not proof of live birth”. Just recently, the bill was redrafted again to reflect a change of title. With that we successfully gained the support of Family Planning Advocates, a group that was previously strongly opposed to this legislation.

As New York State already recognizes a fetal death as both a birth and a death, this bill does not seek changes to any current legislation.

By passing this legislation, you have the opportunity to increase awareness of this issue and the opportunity to have a positive effect on New York families.
Please vote in support of A.8178 – Certificate of Still Birth.

NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE