Overview

This bill aims to provide mothers who have experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth with a certificate acknowledging their loss, even if the child wasn't eligible for birth registration under existing law. It also creates a national database to store this information.

Description

The Certificate of Loss Bill mandates the issuance of a "certificate of loss" to mothers who have experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth, provided a medical professional confirms the pregnancy and loss. The certificate will include details such as the child's estimated age (if available), the parents' names, and the date of the miscarriage or stillbirth. Additional information may be specified by the Secretary of State.

A publicly accessible database will be created to archive these certificates and record the cause of loss (if known). The Secretary of State will designate a body to act as the registrar responsible for issuing the certificates and managing the database. Parliamentary approval is required for all regulations implementing the bill. The bill applies to England and Wales only.

Government Spending

The bill will incur costs associated with establishing and maintaining the database, including the salaries of those involved in administering the system. No specific figures were provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Mothers experiencing miscarriage or stillbirth: Will receive official recognition of their loss through the certificate, potentially offering comfort and closure.
• Medical professionals: Will be involved in confirming the loss and providing necessary information for the certificate.
• The designated registrar body: Will be responsible for managing the database and issuing certificates.
• The Secretary of State: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the bill and setting regulations.
• Parliament: Will need to approve any future regulations related to the database and certificate details.

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