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Bill

SB 414

Income Tax Credit - Parent of Stillborn Child

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joanne Benson and 6 co-sponsors

Maryland bill creates state income tax credit for parents experiencing stillbirth to offset medical and funeral costs related to pregnancy loss.

Hearing 3/27 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 414

Legislative bill overview

SB 414 would establish a one-time state income tax credit for parents who experience a stillbirth. The credit would provide financial relief to families dealing with the loss of a child during pregnancy, recognizing the medical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with stillbirth.

Why is this important

Stillbirth represents a significant health and personal tragedy affecting approximately 1 in 160 pregnancies nationally. Parents face substantial medical costs, funeral expenses, and emotional trauma without existing targeted financial support mechanisms. This bill addresses a gap in tax policy by acknowledging stillbirth as a distinct life event warranting fiscal recognition.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and verification complexity: Determining what qualifies as a stillbirth and how parents would verify eligibility (medical records, gestational age thresholds) could create administrative burdens and disputes
  • Fiscal impact and precedent: The credit's cost to state revenue and whether it establishes precedent for other grief-related tax benefits (miscarriage, neonatal loss) requires evaluation
  • Equity concerns: Questions about whether the credit should be income-limited, how it interacts with federal benefits, and whether similar support exists for other pregnancy losses or child mortality situations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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