May 15, 2026
On May 13th, Students for Life Action (SFLAction) held a federal briefing at the Heritage Foundation for our model legislation, the “Bereaved Parents’ Rights Act,” being introduced in the U.S. House by pro-life warrior Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL).
For years, there has been no clear support for parents who miscarried their baby to retrieve their child’s remains for proper memorial, burial, or cremation. This bill will create a clear pathway for parents to do so, rather than leaving it to hospital policy whether grieving parents will ever see their miscarried baby.
As previously reported by SFLAction:
Many hospitals throw away miscarried babies’ bodies like medical waste without consulting the parents, denying grieving parents the chance to memorialize their precious baby,” said Hawkins. “The Bereaved Parents’ Rights Act would right this immeasurable wrong by ensuring that every parent gets the opportunity to honor the life of their baby following a miscarriage as they see fit.”
Roughly 10 to 30 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth, leaving countless families in heartbreak. They deserve the resources and ease that the “Bereaved Parents’ Rights Act” would provide.
If passed, the “Bereaved Parents’ Rights Act” would:
- Notify the parent(s) of a miscarried or stillborn baby of their rights to a private or common burial, cremation, or disposal of remains by the hospital or birthing center within six (6) hours of the passing of their child or discharge.
- Require the use of a standardized form of notification of these rights created by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure proper notice.
- Ensure proper arrangement for burial or cremation within 72 hours of the parent(s)’s written election following the same disposition options under their State’s law for fetal deaths.
- Provide a private right of action in federal court should any individual not be denied or not notified of their rights under this act, allowing them to seek appropriate relief for violations.
Students for Life (SFL) has been active in pushing for legislation that will allow healing for parents and families suffering the loss of miscarriages.
Following the briefing, SFLAction will head to Capitol Hill with students to lobby in favor of the bill.
SFLAction is proud to see this legislation move forward to empower grieving parents.
Watch the full briefing HERE.
Tell your congressman to vote in FAVOR of the “Bereaved Parents’ Rights Act.”
Additionally, check out SFLAction’s Countdown to Keep Planned Parenthood Defunded webcast HERE.