In Pennsylvania, the stillbirth rate is 6.08 per 1,000 live births, averaging in 858 babies lost to stillbirth each year. Experiencing a stillbirth is a devastating event for any person or family. People who endure this tragedy unfortunately also experience considerable financial costs for things such as funeral services, grief counseling, medical expenses, and any related expenses incurred preparing for the birth of a child.
 
To provide some financial relief, I am proposing a tax credit in the amount of $2,000 for a parent or parents whose pregnancy results in a stillbirth. The tax credit would be available to the parent(s) for any birth which a certificate of fetal death or certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth has been issued by the Department of Health, provided the child would have been a dependent of the parent(s). The tax credit would be applicable to the taxable year in which the stillbirth occurred.
 
Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation to provide Pennsylvania families with needed support in the wake of their loss.
 
This legislation was previously introduced as HB 1554 of 2021 and was co-sponsored by Representatives Conklin, Delloso, Gillen, Madden, and Sanchez.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0261: P.L.6, No.2