Overview

This bill proposes the creation of a "certificate of loss" for parents who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth that is not currently registered under existing law. The certificate will provide official recognition of the pregnancy loss and will be archived in a new national database.

Description

The Certificate of Loss Bill mandates the issuance of a certificate to parents following a miscarriage or stillbirth not eligible for registration under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953. This certificate would include details such as the child's gestational age (if available), the parents' names, and the date of the miscarriage or stillbirth. Additional information may be specified by the Secretary of State via regulations. A national, publicly accessible database will be created to store these certificates and record the cause of loss (if known). The bill defines "miscarriage" and "stillbirth" precisely and specifies that a medical professional must confirm the pregnancy loss before a certificate is issued. The bill requires parliamentary approval for any regulations made under its provisions and will only apply to England and Wales. The bill comes into force 12 months after it's passed.

Government Spending

The bill will necessitate government spending to create and maintain the national database, and to administer the process of issuing certificates. Precise cost figures are not provided within the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Parents experiencing miscarriage or stillbirth: The bill directly affects parents who have suffered these losses, providing them with official recognition of their experience.
• Medical professionals: Medical professionals will be involved in confirming pregnancy loss and providing necessary information for the certificate.
• Registrars: A body designated by the Secretary of State will be responsible for issuing certificates and maintaining the database.
• Government: The government will be responsible for funding and overseeing the implementation of the bill's provisions.

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