How Nebraska's New Commemorative Birth Certificate for Miscarriages is Making a Big Impact on Families

Capitol Connection Episode 77

How Nebraska’s New Commemorative Birth Certificate for Miscarriages is Making a Big Impact on Families

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More than 100 bills passed into law by the Nebraska Legislature took effect last week, and one in particular is making a big impact on families and the culture of life.

Under LB1040, a unique, NFA-supported bill passed into law by the Nebraska Legislature in 2018, women and families in Nebraska can now choose to receive a state-issued commemorative birth certificate for babies lost prior to 20 weeks gestation.

Any woman who has experienced a miscarriage during a pregnancy that was verified by a licensed healthcare practitioner in Nebraska is eligible to receive this state-issued certificate, even if the loss occurred before the bill was passed.

This type of certificate is only the second of its kind in the United States; however, Nebraska is the first state in the country to offer the certificate retroactively and not require a minimum gestation to qualify.

Shawna Hoffman, Co-Founder of Healing Embrace, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading awareness on pregnancy and infant loss while providing hope and healing to grieving families, joins this week’s Capitol Connection Podcast to share what this new certificate means for Moms, Dads, and families across Nebraska.

One out of every four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, and the grief of that loss is as real as the life itself. By recognizing the dignity of pre-born children at the earliest stages of development and validating the losses felt by parents, Nebraska is creating a culture of life that honors the live lost in miscarriage as well as the families who grieve.

Click here to learn more about this certificate and how you can receive one.

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