Maryland Lawmakers Push Stillbirth Tax Credit Bill

Proposed legislation would offer one-time tax credit for parents of stillborn children

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:22pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty hospital bed in a warm, sunlit room, conveying a sense of quiet melancholy and loss.The proposed stillbirth tax credit bill aims to provide financial and emotional support for grieving families dealing with the devastating loss of a child.Annapolis Today

In Annapolis, Maryland, lawmakers and parents of stillborn children gathered to provide updates on a bill that would offer a one-time income tax credit for parents of stillborn kids. The proposed legislation aims to provide financial support and recognition for grieving families dealing with the devastating costs associated with a stillbirth.

Why it matters

The loss of a child through stillbirth can be emotionally and financially devastating for families. This bill seeks to ease that burden by offering a tax credit to help cover the unexpected medical and funeral expenses that come with a stillbirth. Advocates say the legislation is about more than just money - it's a way to give a voice to grieving parents and acknowledge the lives of babies who never got the chance to take their first breath.

The details

The bill would provide a one-time $2,000 income tax credit for parents who have experienced a stillbirth. The credit is intended to help offset the costs of hospital bills, genetic testing, therapy, headstones, and other baby items that cannot be returned. This is the third straight year the legislation has been introduced in the Maryland General Assembly.

  • The bill was introduced in the current 2026 legislative session in Annapolis.
  • A group of state senators called on the House to take up the legislation during a recent press conference.

The players

Maureen Gaffney

A Maryland parent who has experienced two stillbirths and is advocating for the tax credit bill.

Maryland General Assembly

The state legislature in Annapolis that is considering the stillbirth tax credit legislation.

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What they’re saying

“It was devastating to realize it cost us more to have a baby who died than to have a baby who lived.”

— Maureen Gaffney, Stillbirth Parent

“This bill is more than financial support. It's a recognition. It's a voice for the baby who never cried and a message to families like mine that our children matter and we do not have to live in silence.”

— Maureen Gaffney, Stillbirth Parent

What’s next

The Maryland House of Delegates will now consider the stillbirth tax credit bill after it was advanced by the state Senate.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation represents an important step in providing both financial and emotional support for grieving families dealing with the trauma of a stillbirth. By offering a tax credit and formal recognition, the state of Maryland is acknowledging the significant toll these losses take and working to ease the burden on parents during an incredibly difficult time.