The state of New York defines stillbirth as an unintended intrauterine death post twenty weeks gestation. If a family in New York has the misfortune of experiencing such a tragedy, there is no official recognition of either the baby or the birth process that the baby and the mother had to endure. That family would receive a Fetal Death Certificate or, in New York City, a Certificate of Spontaneous Termination of Pregnancy.
The certificate we received did not have Daniel’s name, nor did it have a place for his name. That just did not sit right with us. How is it possible that the state in which we live, does not consider our son to ever have existed? How can they not say he was born? After 36 hours of labor and 45 minutes of pushing, who is going to tell us this was not birth?
We started making phone calls. We called the hospital. We called the funeral home. We called the office of vital statistics. We then called First Candle, which is the organization that our friends and family so generously donated to in Daniel’s name. When we asked them if this was a common concern, their answer provided a direction for our energies, anger, and grief. We were given information about the MISSing Angel’s Bill which has been bounced around the New York State Assembly for four years. This Bill, if signed into law, would provide a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. A CBRS would give us the recognition both Lori and Daniel so rightly deserve. More information on Certificate of Still Birth Bill.
FEBRUARY 17, 2007
Our mission, to lobby for the passage of the MISSing Angel’s Bill, began after first reaching out to the MISS Foundation.
We immediately heard back from Joanne Cacciatore, CEO and Founder of the MISS (Mothers in Sympathy and Support) Foundation and she was the first person to ever successfully lobby for this bill to be signed into law. Joanne sent a very warm response to my letter, and briefly shared her experience with stillbirth and the loss of her precious daughter Cheyenne. Very soon after that we received another e-mail from Daryl Logullo. Daryl is the MISS Foundation’s National Legislative Liaison and the man responsible for getting the law passed in Florida. It was named for his daughter Katherine. At this time, we felt like we had joined a club. We were not at all happy to be members, but were comforted nonetheless. We were quickly brought up to speed and introduced to a small group of mothers that had already scheduled appointments with legislators.
FEBRUARY 27, 2007
Meeting with bill sponsors.
We met with both Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun and Senator Bill Larkin. These meetings were a good ice breaker for future lobbying efforts. We were given valuable information about the bill's history and how to approach its chief opposition.
MARCH 5, 2007
Trying to gain additional support.
Our first meeting was with our local representative, Assemblyman Michael Cusick. We gave him information about the bill, asked for his support and set a time to follow up the following week. Then we met with Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer, representing both Staten Island and Brooklyn. This meeting was also to give information and ask for support. Our final meeting for the day was with Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Health Committee Chair. From everything we had learned to this point, Mr. Gottfried held the bill's future in his hands. The MISSing Angel’s Bill had been stalled in the Assembly for the past four years due to Mr. Gottfried’s concerns about the bill. Our intention was to address those concerns. After a very positive meeting, Mr. Gottfried offered his time along with his staff members to redraft the bill with suggested new language.
MARCH 12, 2007
We received the first copy of the re-write. There was only one issue with the new language. We made a call to Mr. Gottfried’s office and within a few hours, we were informed that the issue had been resolved.
MARCH 14, 2007
We received the latest re-write which was exactly what we wanted to see.
MARCH 15, 2007
After an in depth conversation with Michael Cusick, he agreed to consider sponsorship of the bill. It had been suggested that we attempt to gain as much Democratic support as we could. Considering that Mr. Cusick is not only our local rep but also a Democrat, his support is very important to us. Hopefully he will decide to put his name on this bill.
MARCH 16, 2007
At our second meeting with Janele Hyer-Spencer, she agreed to be a sponsor and put her name on this bill. What great news! She was warm and understanding, but most importantly believed enough in the bill that she would stand behind it and support us.
MAY, 2007
The NY Missing Angels Bill finally made it to the Senate floor for a third reading and final vote. Our bill was passed with an overwhelming 53-2 vote.
After 4 years on the shelf, the NY Missing Angels Bill not only made it on to the Health Committee Agenda, but passed through committee with a unanimous vote.
JUNE 22, 2007
The Assembly has been completely focused on State budget issues. Unfortunately, our bill stalled in the Ways and Means Committee and will have to wait until next year to make any further progress.
JANUARY 24, 2008
The Senate Health Committee has passed the NY Missing Angels Bill, which will now go to its 1st Reading.
FEBRUARY 28, 2008
The Assembly Health Committee has passed the NY Missing Angles Bill, which will now move on to the Ways and Means Committee.
MARCH 26, 2008
Bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 59-1.
JUNE 15, 2008
Father's Day Press Conference held on the steps of City Hall to raise awareness of the Bill.
JUNE 15, 2008
Speaker Sheldon Silver communicated his support of the Bill to us and to Bill sponsor, Janele Hyer-Spencer.
JUNE 19, 2008
Bill held for consideration by Ways and Means Committee.
JUNE 23, 2008
Bill killed by Ways and Means Committee at 11pm... 1 hour prior to end of sessions for this year.
February 3, 2009
Referred to Assembly Health Committee
February 5, 2009
Referred to Senate Health Committee (New Chair, Thomas Duane who voted against the bill in 2007 & 2008 full Senate vote) Also, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno retires leaving us without power or influence over the senate.
February 24, 2009
Passed Assembly Health Committee
February 24, 2009
Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee
End of Session 2009
Bill died in Assembly Ways and Means Committee as the result of ONLY 2 members in opposition; also died in Senate Health Committee.
Summary of 2009
This legislative session this year was the most frustrating and oddest we have experienced to date. As soon as it began 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 there, 2009 just wasn't our year.
January 6, 2010
Referred to Senate Health Committee; Referred to Assembly Health Committee
April 2010
Budget delay prevented bills from moving; Parents have secured 95 Assembly Sponsors through tireless lobbying efforts
June 14th, 2010
Passed Assembly Health Committee; Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee
July 1, 2010
End of session. Bill died in Senate Health Committee; died in Assembly Ways and Means Committee due to ONLY 2 members who asked for a name change in the final hours of session knowing it would have to wait until next year. Suggested name change to “certificate of recognition of stillbirth” was unacceptable as this would not be a birth certificate.
July 6, 2010
Despite the request of Daniel’s STAR and NY Still Parents to NOT change the name, the name of the certificate was changed from “certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth” to “certificate of recognition of stillbirth." Daniel’s STAR suggested “Certificate of Still Birth,” which was denied by sponsor.
Summary of 2010
Lack of a passing budget vote delays bill. Assembly passed the budget at the end of session in June. Senate passed the budget on August 3rd.
January 2011
New prime sponsor Dennis Gabryzak, due to elections and retirements total sponsor count dropped from 95 to 73 sponsors. Daniel’s STAR got word from sponsor that the name had been changed. It was agreed that the name should be changed back to “certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.”
January 25, 2011
Referred to Assembly Health Committee
February 8, 2011
Referred to Senate Health Committee; under returning Chair Senator Hannon
March 2011
At meeting between Daniel’s STAR and Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried it was decided that we would best be represented by a pro choice Assemblywoman; Mr. Gottfried agreed to find a candidate
May 16, 2011
Passed Senate Health (16 to 1)
May 25, 2011
Passed full SENATE (59 to 2)
May/June 2011
Communication from Richard Gottfried to Daniel’s STAR about a meeting with Family Planning Advocates (an organization historically strongly opposed to bill). It was decided certificate name should be changed to “Certificate of Still Birth” as previously suggested by Daniel’s STAR. With that change, FPA issued a memo of support. Still Birth being the opposite of Live Birth and still a birth certificate. Daniel’s STAR and NY Still Parents agree to change the name of the certificate.
June 3, 2011
Due to lobbying efforts of Daniel’s STAR and NY Still Parents sponsor count is back up to 84; bill was reintroduced with the new name by its new sponsor Sandra Galef.
June 6, 2011
Passed Assembly Health Committee with a unanimous vote. Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee. Referred to third reading in Senate. Total Senate vote is expected June 13, 2011 and overwhelming majority is anticipated.
June 15, 2011
Passed Assembly Ways and Means Committee with a unanimous vote. An amazing victory!! Referred to Assembly Rules Committee.
June 16, 2011
Passed Assembly Rules Committee with a unanimous vote. Referred to Assembly Floor.
June 16, 2011
Passed Senate with a 61-1 vote.
June 16, 2011
Passed Assembly with a unanimous vote 105-0.
© 2011 Daniel's STAR