How Texas and Louisiana Are Advancing Perinatal Bereavement Support
Perinatal loss, whether through stillbirth, neonatal death, or complications during pregnancy, is one of the most devastating experiences a family can face. Historically, bereavement care following such losses has varied widely across hospitals, leaving many families without consistent emotional support or the time needed to say goodbye. That is changing with new state-level legislative efforts. Texas has passed a groundbreaking perinatal bereavement care initiative known as Everly’s Law, and Louisiana has introduced similar legislation aimed at improving support systems for grieving families. These initiatives represent a shift toward compassionate, structured bereavement care grounded in respect and dignity.
Perinatal Bereavement Care in Texas: Everly’s Law
Texas House Bill 37, known as Everly’s Law, relates to perinatal bereavement care in hospitals assigned a maternal level of care designation. The law includes provisions related to perinatal bereavement care counseling options and available perinatal bereavement devices.
Under the law, hospitals must provide supportive services following an intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal death, or stillbirth. These services include:
• Bereavement counseling options for parents and families.
• Access to perinatal bereavement cooling devices, equipment capable of delaying tissue deterioration for extended family time consistent with medical recommendations.
Read more here: https://cuddlecot.com/perinatal-bereavement-care-initiative/
Louisiana’s Emerging Perinatal Bereavement Initiative
In early 2026, Louisiana’s Legislature introduced Angels Law SB32, a bill that similarly aims to establish a Perinatal Bereavement Care Initiative within the Louisiana Department of Health. (www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1963574)
The proposed initiative includes:
- Improve access to quality bereavement care for families experiencing perinatal loss.
- Coordinate with the state’s Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality and community organizations.
- Provide hospitals with training on how to support grieving parents following fetal demise, neonatal death, or stillbirth.
- Supply perinatal bereavement cooling devices and informational resources about counseling and support services.
Like Texas, Louisiana’s bill would prioritize hospitals lacking devices or those serving higher volumes of at-risk births, and it would allow for multiple funding sources, including federal funds, grants, and donations.
SB32 shows a growing recognition beyond Texas that structured bereavement support is essential and merits dedicated policy attention.
Submit Perinatal Bereavement Care Initiative Questions to the Louisiana Department of Health: ldh.la.gov/contact-us
Understand how a law becomes a law and how you can help at: www.heidisaintjames.com
Read more here: https://cuddlecot.com/perinatal-bereavement-care-initiative/
Advocates in both Texas and Louisiana are pushing the boundaries of perinatal care by ensuring families receive not only medical support but also compassionate bereavement care during and after loss. Texas’ Everly’s Law has already created statewide standards and has begun building infrastructure for these services, emphasizing respect, time, and support for grieving families. Louisiana’s proposed initiative reflects this model and could extend similar protections to families in its own hospitals.
These legislative approaches underscore a collective commitment to treating parents and families with dignity during a time of profound grief. By embedding bereavement resources into state health systems, both states are moving toward a care model that honors life, supports healing, and acknowledges the emotional needs of families facing perinatal loss.
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