New York Assembly Bill A02311

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Report Pass: 5/19/25
• Refer: 5/19/25
• Report Pass: 6/6/25
• Refer: 6/6/25
• Report Pass: 6/9/25
• Engrossed: 6/9/25
• Refer: 6/9/25
• Engrossed: 6/10/25

Caption

Prohibits charging a fee for the issuance of a certificate of still birth or pregnancy loss.

Impact

The implications of A02311 are significant as it directly impacts state laws governing public health documentation. By eliminating fees for the issuance of these certificates, the bill standardizes the process across local jurisdictions within New York, potentially expanding access to vital records for parents. This amendment could lead to greater awareness and acknowledgment of stillbirth and pregnancy loss as important issues in public health, which may also influence future legislative discussions regarding related health services and support systems.

Summary

Bill A02311 proposes an amendment to the public health law that aims to prohibit the charging of fees for the issuance of certificates related to stillbirth or pregnancy loss. This legislation seeks to ease the financial burden on families experiencing these tragic events by ensuring they can obtain necessary documentation without incurring additional costs. The bill reflects an understanding of the sensitive nature of such circumstances and aims to provide support to grieving families during a difficult time.

Contention

While the bill is likely to receive support from various health advocacy groups and grieving parents' organizations, there may be contention around the funding implications for local registrars who currently rely on these fees for their operations. Critics may argue that the elimination of these fees could lead to budget shortfalls for local health departments, potentially impacting other services. Advocates for the bill will need to address such concerns to ensure that local registrars can continue to operate effectively without the financial support previously provided by these fees.