(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — State Representative Mark Cochran’s (R-Englewood) legislation, House Bill 966, passed the House of Representatives on Monday night with strong bipartisan support.
It requires the Department of Health (DOH) to develop a commemorative certificate of birth. The legislation also requires DOH to make the appropriate form available on the Department’s website.
“My hope is that this bill offers some solace to parents who face the tragedy of losing their child before he or she is born,” Representative Cochran said. “I believe Tennessee has taken great strides in recent years to recognize the sanctity of all life, and this bill is yet another important step.”
Cochran introduced the legislation after learning from various constituents that the state of Tennessee did not currently offer a certificate recognizing babies miscarried before the twentieth week of pregnancy. House Bill 966 previously passed in the Senate with bipartisan support and is now headed to the Governor’s desk.
“I would like to thank the constituents who brought this issue to my attention. I was honored to bring it to the floor on their behalf.”
Read of the full text of House Bill 966 here.
Mark Cochran serves as Majority Treasurer for the 111th Tennessee General Assembly. Cochran is also a member of the House Consumer & Human Resources and House Education Committees, as well as the House Consumer and House Higher Education Subcommittees. Cochran lives in Englewood and represents Tennessee House District 23, which includes McMinn and a portion of Monroe Counties. He can be reached by email at: Rep.Mark.Cochran@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-1725.