December 9th is THE Day!

We just received word that the Department of Health and Human Services has been "granted the authority to issue the New Stillbirth Certificates beginning December 9, 2008."

If you have applied and had your request returned, please resubmit for the new certificates and include a check for $12.00.

You can download an application at this website: http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/ced/StillBirthCert.htm

What a great day! We hope to get more press coverage and awareness out now that the certificates are available.

If you have any issues getting a certificate and should be granted one under the terms of the law, please feel free to contact me at brandy.richardson@hotmail.com or Trish Hill at trish521@unlserve.unl.edu.

Request Your Certificate

I just wanted to let everyone know that you can request your Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth for your child born in Nebraska at the following link:
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/ced/stillbirthcert.htm

We aren't sure if the certificates are available yet but I'm checking on that. All requests are being held until they are available.

To our angels!

Public Hearing for LB1048

Today was the public hearing for implementing LB1048. Trish and I went - we weren't sure what to expect. We just told our stories (the short versions this time since the law has already been passed and we didn't have to convince anyone that our sons were indeed "birthed".)

On the draft of the certificates, we were unhappy with the fact that it read "fetal death" on it in addition to the "Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth". Seems very redundant and unnecessary. The group discussed that they would be removing that so we were happy with the progress in that area.

We also heard that by law they have to stamp "Deceased" on a birth certificate when someone dies. We were hoping that isn't the case with our certificates - but that is still under discussion.

We also discussed public outreach and hope to follow up after the hearing to see what we can do to get the word out.

Request Your Certificate

An update on the availability of the certificates from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services:
Currently, the certificates have been drafted along with state regulations. There will be a public hearing sometime in August. Once the public hearing is completed and no further changes are required to the regulations or certificates, they can finalize all remaining aspects of this project so certificates can be issued. It is still anticipated that they will be able to process requests sometime in November or December of this year.

Instructions on how to obtain your certificate are available at their website: http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/vital_records.htm.

Update on CBRS Availability

I spoke to the Department of Health and Human Services office today to get an update on when the Certificates of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth will be ready since the bill passed last week with the emergency clause attached (meaning the law goes into effect right away.)

The person I spoke with said they have to go through a form creation/approval process. Then they will have a public hearing. That will probably happen in July/August. Trish and I will be attending that. They will discuss how the certificates will look. They expect them to be ready in the early fall.

If someone requests one right now, it will be held until the certificates are ready. Stay tuned for an update on when they are available.

No Signing Ceremony

So, unfortunately it doesn't look like we will be getting a formal signing ceremony with the Governor. Our bill sponsor's office requested it twice and they declined to do one. They said it's due to timing/scheduling. We're translating that to mean that it wouldn't further him politically so he doesn't want to do it. Trish and I also called and spoke with the Governor's office and my family called/sent emails. We don't seem to be making any progress.

I am incredibly disappointed. I don't really care about the Governor - I just wanted more pics for Carter's scrapbook. And it creates a better awareness about the issue which is one of our goals.

On the bright side, at least he signed the bill and didn't veto it!

We hope to do a press conference when the certificates are actually ready sometime this fall. Stay tuned to our site for our progress in that area.

District 49 Write Up

A nice little writeup about LB1048 in the Chadron Record. Senator Louden makes a reference to my family that contacted him about the issue.

http://www.chadronnews.com/articles/2008/04/16/chadron/opinion/news130.txt

The Good News Keeps Coming...

Governor Heineman has signed our bill into law! The official note from our bill sponsors’ office:

Great news - it’s law! Governor Heineman signed LB 1048 into law today thus making it effective immediately. Senator Nantkes has requested a signing ceremony and we will let you know when we hear back from the Governor’s office when that will be - but we will want you guys to be here! Danielle wanted me to thank you for all of your hard work and efforts on getting this bill enacted into law. Good job.

So excited!

Nebr. Legislature Passes LB1048

After a long session yesterday at 7:45 p.m., the Nebraska Legislature passed LB1048 with a 45-0 vote!!!

I spoke with Senator Nantkes’ office this morning and the Governor is expected to sign it - which should happen within the next day or two. They are calling me later with an ETA. We also requested a formal signing so we can get pics for our sons’ scrapbooks.

With love to Carter and Myles!

LB1048 Passes Second Round

LB1048 Passed the second round of debate in the Nebraska Legislature today! Yay! Only the final reading and the Governor’s signature to go. We’re almost there!

Associated Press Article

Not as good as the Omaha World Herald story but they probably have to be less personal since it goes out on the newswire. But I just googled for our bill and Trish and I are VERY popular people these days now. The AP was good for that at least (not that it was a popularity contest mind you, but we are trying to raise awareness and all.)

A link to the story is here.

Omaha World Herald Article

Woo hoo! An article about our bill is going to be in the Omaha World Herald on Friday! The article is already up online:
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10282828

It’s actually REALLY good. It’s probably the best story about our bill that’s been written so far.

My Dad looks in the Omaha World Herald every week for a mention of our bill and keeps asking me when it’s going to be in there. I feel good knowing it will be in there tomorrow for him. He’s actually in the picture with me - I’m looking at Carter’s scrapbook in the photo and it’s a page of me and my Dad on Carter’s due date, releasing balloons to the heavens. How neat is that? I have chills just thinking about it. (It’s Carter saying ’hi’ to his Papa I think.)

LB1048 Passed First Round

Quick update on LB1048 - it passed the first round of debate with flying colors. There were no debates and no one voted against it.

Our note from our bill sponsor, Danielle Nantkes is below:

> The missing angel’s bill passed the first round of debate as amended on
> consent calendar. No one spoke or voted against the bill. The second
> round of debate may come as early as Monday. Then we just have to get
> through final reading and the governors signature. Great job! Thank
> you for bringing this important issue to my attention and onto the radar
> screen for Nebraska.

We are so excited we don’t even know what to do with ourselves! Yay

Carter's Story on Omaha CBS Station

Today the CBS news station in Omaha came by my house to do a story on Carter and the bill I’m (we’re) working on getting passed in the Nebraska legislature. The story airs tonight at 10 p.m.

The written part of the story is already up on their website:
http://www.kmtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7908196

I wish she’d fix the spelling of babies in the first sentence - it’s bugging me. Ha!

Anyway, there is always concern with the media that they’ll edit the clips to be something different or leave out something important. If the video follows the written story, I’m fine with that. But I’m not sure I want to watch it - it was hard for me to read!

Local NBC News Airs Birth Certificate Bill Story

Tonight on the local NBC news station, WOWT Omaha, there was a story about the bill I’ve been working on getting passed in Nebraska, LB1048. It was actually the headliner (the opening news story.)

You can view the video here.

While the woman who was interviewed had a heartbreaking story, her story is not typical of stillbirths. It’s unfortunate that her’s occured due to physical violence - most moms do everything they can to take care of their unborn child and they have an unknown cause.

I appreciate WOWT airing the story to gain awareness but some of the comments on their website that are coming in response to the story alarm me since the story didn’t provide all the facts. People are coming in with questions about abortions and identity theft and other “crap” because they don’t know the full details. I’ve posted my contact info and a response to try and do damage control. You can view the printed story with comments here.

I was mentioned at the end of the story and hope to do a follow up with the reporter when the bill gets out of commitee.

I’m glad we are getting some coverage though!

Making a Difference

The Committee Hearing for LB1048 was today in Lincoln. Four people testified for the bill, 0 neutral, 0 against. Barack Obama was in Omaha today, and yes, Trish, we missed it due to the hearing, but it was worth it. We really are making a difference.

The Senators that heard the bill were very receptive, compassionate - they really listened to us.

We are even getting some wonderful press coverage - and that’s what this is really about. Awareness. Education. And I can’t help but love the fact that my baby Carter is mentioned by name. He’s making a difference. I sobbed as I read the article for the first time (and the second, and the third…)
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2008/02/07/news/politics/doc47abac5b96493000179281.txt

Thanks to those that sent in their letters of support this far. We’re not done yet - the Committee will discuss and hopefully vote next week to move it forward. But I feel that we’re already making an impact on others’ lives in Nebraska.

Thanks to Senator Nantkes and Julie as well - they continue to be our rockstars.

For Carter and Myles forever.

LB1048 Update

Wanted to give you an update on LB1048 that would issue a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth as an optional document for parents residing in Nebraska that experience this. See my first blog on this for the details.

The Committee Hearing for the bill is Thursday, February 7th. Letters of support can be submitted to Senator Nantkes, the bill sponsor. Better yet, you can send your letter of support to all those on the Health & Human Services Committee that will be hearing the bill.

A generic letter of support is located at the following link:
http://www.devonandbrandyshow.com/nemissingangelsbill/Generic%20Letter%20of%20Support%20LB1048.doc

Feel free to customize by adding personal experiences or your thoughts. On the second page of the letter is the contact information for all of those on the Committee, as well as Senator Nantkes. This is especially important if one of the Senators on the HHS committee is YOUR Senator. (How to find out who your Senator is: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/web/public/senators/find)

I truly appreciate all of those that posted a reply to my blog this far. Now if we can get those messages in front of the Senators - that would be really special!

Thanks in advance for your support.

A Historic Day for Nebraska

Today was a very historic day for Nebraska (and for me personally). LB1048 was introduced into the legislature. If passed, this law would issue birth certificates for stillborns. This may come as a surprise to you, but parents in the state of Nebraska do NOT receive birth certificates when their baby is stillborn currently. By law, parents have to handle the remains of their baby when it’s stillborn, they receive a death certificate, but no birth certificate is issued even though the process for delivering a stillborn baby is the same as one that is born alive.

Most of you probably remember that my son, Carter, was stillborn at 35 weeks due to a heart defect back on January 12, 2005. He would’ve been 3 years old last weekend. Now, we HAVE a birth certificate for him since (Thank God) he was born in Arizona and not Nebraska. Arizona was the first state to pass this law, and since then, 20 other states have also passed this law. I am working to get this bill passed in Nebraska in his memory and to help other parents in Nebraska get some closure. It’s really kind of embarrassing to think that this law isn’t already in affect in the state.

I have been corresponding with Senators in Nebraska over the past year to get this bill sponsored but they have all been “too busy”. Last Friday, another mom, Trish, and I met with Senator Fulton in Lincoln to discuss the issue. He was 90% certain he would sponsor the bill but wanted to know that other Senators would support it as well.

A sidenote about Trish: her son, Myles, was born sleeping this past Thanksgiving. I am very proud of her for being able to share her story and get involved in this process so soon. She’s a strong person. We make a good team.

On Tuesday of this week, we met with Senator Nantkes. She is a rockstar and introduced the bill today to the legislature. Senator Fulton is one of the co-sponsors.

On Tuesday, after our meeting with Senator Nantkes, I was driving for quite a while behind a truck that read: Carter Express. I think it was a sign.

You can view the text of the bill here:
http://uniweb.legislature.ne.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Intro/LB1048.pdf

My family has been communicating with a few other Senators from the western part of the state. We also met with Senators Hansen, Gay and Chambers this week. You may have heard of the latter. I won’t state our conversation with him here, however, Google Ernie Chambers and you’ll get the idea of how he is. Ha!

I feel really energized and proud that this is finally coming to fruition. I think I’ll sleep well tonight - it’s been a long week and we have a long journey ahead of us.

Please stay tuned to hear of our progress. I’ll be asking other fellow Nebraskans for support. Please contact me if you’re immediately interested in assisting. Pass this on to anyone else that you know that may have been affected by a stillbirth.

To see the status of the bill, visit:
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/web/public/home
And search for LB 1048

For more information:
www.missingangelsbill.org