Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Helping with Equal Access to Leave and Investing in Needs for (HEALING) Mothers and Fathers Act. This legislation would amend the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to include spontaneous loss of an unborn child as a qualifying condition for FMLA leave and establish a refundable tax credit for mothers and families who suffer the loss of a child in the womb or during delivery.
“Expecting parents who endure a stillbirth, the loss of a baby after 20 weeks or more through a pregnancy, should be able to mourn their baby without the added stress of expensive medical bills. Our legislation will give families the time and resources to help them through this unimaginable loss.” -Congresswoman Hinson
“No amount of money can heal the unexpected loss of a child, but parents must be given time to mourn. Our bill will ensure families are given the resources and support they need to recover.”-Senator Cotton
Background:
- Amend the FMLA to include spontaneous loss of an unborn child as a qualified medical condition for FMLA leave and civil service employee leave.
- Women and their spouses would be entitled to take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for loss of an unborn child.
- Spontaneous loss of an unborn child is defined in the bill as ‘the loss of a child in the womb that is unplanned and not resulting from a purposeful act.’
- All requirements related to certification, notice, flexibility and leave substitution are consistent with current standards for claiming FMLA leave.
- Establish a $3,600 refundable tax credit for any mother, or couple, who suffers a stillbirth.
- Stillbirth is defined as “the delivery of a child where there was a spontaneous death, not induced by any purposeful act, before the complete delivery from the child’s mother.”
- A family would be eligible for the tax credit if a stillbirth certificate, under applicable state law, has been issued for the child.
- These funds could not be used for any abortion procedure
- Prohibit Title X funds from going to abortion providers.
Original source can be found here
