HB 2-BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR STILLBIRTH 3:57:40 PM CO-CHAIR KELLER announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 2, "An Act relating to the issuance of a certificate of birth resulting in a stillbirth." SANDRA WILSON, Staff to Representative Gatto, Alaska State Legislature, explained that HB 2 allowed the issuance of a birth certificate to the parents of a stillborn child. 3:58:26 PM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 2, Version 26-LS0003\R, Mischel, 1/29/09, as the working document. 3:58:39 PM CO-CHAIR KELLER objected for the purpose of explanation. 3:58:47 PM MS. WILSON explained that the difference between the original HB 2 and Version R was a removal for the duplication of records, which was requested by the Division of Public Health, Vital Statistics. 3:59:51 PM CO-CHAIR KELLER removed his objection. 4:00:03 PM MS. WILSON said that the purpose of HB 2 was to bring closure to the parents of stillborn children. She said that currently, a fetal death certificate was distributed. She reported that a birth certificate would validate that a child was born and would allow closure for the parents. She said that the birth certificate was optional. 4:00:51 PM CO-CHAIR KELLER opened the discussion to public testimony. 4:01:20 PM RHONDA CRAWFORD shared her experience with the still birth of her child. She said that having a birth certificate would mean a lot to her family. 4:03:49 PM MS. CRAWFORD, in response to Representative Lynn, said that it had been five years. 4:04:10 PM MICHELLE HOYT related her experience with the still birth of her child. She said that HB 2 would bring closure for the families, and would acknowledge that the child was born. 4:05:24 PM DR. JOANNE CACCIATORE, CEO, M.I.S.S. Foundation, explained that she represented 76 state chapters of the MISS Foundation, which helped families whose children died. She informed that the effect of still birth was devastating on families. She stated her support for HB 2 and noted that 26 other states had similar legislation. 4:07:40 PM DEBBIE JOSLIN, President, Eagle Forum Alaska, shared her experiences and encouraged support for HB 2. 4:09:55 PM MAYME OHNEMUS said that she was the grandmother of a stillborn child. She shared the history of her daughter in law's pregnancy, and the devastation from the death of the baby. She recounted the pain felt with a death certificate and that a still birth certificate would have been much more respectful and comforting. 4:13:40 PM PHILLIP MITCHELL, Chief, Vital Statistics, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), explained that sub-section (f), HB 2, should be removed to minimize any fiscal impact to the state. He explained that Vital Statistics already had the information, and it only needed the authority to issue the certificate. He noted that the certificates needed to come to Juneau for the gold state seal to be affixed. 4:15:14 PM CO-CHAIR KELLER said that HB 2 would be held until the next meeting. 4:15:48 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES shared that she had family friends who still mourned. 4:16:18 PM CO-CHAIR HERRON extended his sympathy to the testifiers. 4:17:11 PM