Republican Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson on Wednesday unveiled the Healing Mothers And Fathers Act, a bill which seeks to give parents the time and financial resources to recover from the loss of an unborn child.
Hinson, the Trump-backed candidate for Iowa’s open Senate seat in 2026, is seeking to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide family leave and a child tax credit to parents who suffer miscarriages and stillbirths, according to bill text first obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Republican Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton in July introduced companion legislation to the bill in the Senate.
“Under current law, parents don’t have the option to take family leave in the tragic event of a stillbirth. Families who endure such a horrific and painful loss of a baby deserve family leave options while they grieve and heal,” Hinson said in a statement to the DCNF. “As we continue working to end stillbirth and strengthen maternal care for expecting mothers, this legislation is a strong step in providing families with care and financial stability during one of the most challenging times in their lives.”
The bill aims to expand the FMLA to provide families grieving a spontaneous loss of their unborn child up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave within one year period. Families will also be provided a refundable tax credit for any mother or couple who suffers a stillbirth, but eligibility for the credit hinges on receiving a valid stillbirth certificate for the child.
‘This bill will make sure families receive the resources they need to help recover from the unexpected loss of a child,” Cotton said in a statement to the DCNF. “No amount of money can replace such a loss, but we can help ensure parents have time to begin the recovery process.”
Abortion procedures will not be covered by the bill or included in the revamped FMLA.
Hinson, who has represented her northeastern Iowa House seat since 2021, announced on Sept. 2 that she would run for her state’s open Senate seat. Her entry into the race came shortly after Republican Sen. Joni Ernst said she would retire from the Senate in 2027.
President Donald Trump endorsed Hinson’s Senate bid on Sept. 5. Her campaign also garnered support from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) chairman Tim Scott.
During her three terms in the House, Hinson has championed a pro-family agenda and has advocated for further access to affordable child care and child tax credits.
Adam Pack contributed to this report.
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