Family Leave Recovering from Stillbirth

Memorandum of Support

Re: S4468-A Maher / A5319-A Pheffer Amato
Provides family leave to persons recovering from a stillbirth that occurs after the clinical estimate of the twentieth week of gestation 

The above-referenced legislation would provide paid family leave to persons recovering from a stillbirth. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this bill and urges its passage. 

The birth of a stillborn child is a tragic and life-altering event that affects thousands of New Yorkers every year. The physical and mental anguish experienced by mothers and their families as they mourn the death of a child is indescribable. Time is the only thing that can begin to heal such a loss, yet stillbirth has not been a qualifying condition for family leave in New York. We applaud the sponsors for their action in addressing this inequity. 

The allowance of paid family leave for a stillbirth is a critical piece of the support owed to grieving mothers and families. The loss of a child is an unimaginable heartbreak. Parents should not have to worry about anything but healing as they physically and mentally recover. We urge you to support this