It’s election time in the Bluegrass and it’s a very intense, exciting race. All heads are turned towards the candidates and Kentuckians are impatiently waiting for the outcome. Therefore, it’s hard for other news to break headlines during this time of the season, but one particular piece of pre-filed legislation is about to make some noise within the next few months. JCHS senior and Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) member Megan Hudnall has created a pre-file bill that pertains to birth certificates for stillborn children.
Hudnall and associate Amelia Kretzer both have been working tirelessly on the bill since June. The bill states that for all stillborn births in Kentucky, the parents will receive a certificate of stillborn birth instead of a death certificate solely.
“I think every family deserves a tangible memory of their child,” said Hudnall.
Their hard work paid off two weeks ago when State Representative Bobby Mccool came to JC to meet with the young legislatures. Mccool was so impressed with the bill and thankful that it was brought to his attention that he congratulated the girls with announcing his backing of it and the motion of putting it on the docket for the next hearing at Frankfort. Mccool has also sent the pre-file to the state’s research committee where it’s in line to be examined. Hudnall and Kretzer will have to travel to the capitol and present the bill to the House of Representatives and the Senate in hopes of getting it passed at the beginning of 2020. Hudnall expressed that her motivation for this project has been inspired by the birth of her stillborn sister. The bill is being called “Hayley’s Bill” as a tribute for Hudnall’s sister.
Besides lawmaking, Hudnall is in charge of her self-created community service project known as Hayley’s Box. With Hayley’s Box, Hudnall and fellow members are able to design and send care boxes to those that have been affected by stillbirths and provide support for their losses.
“I want to help those families and mothers that struggle with PTSD and suicidal thoughts with the organization,” Hudnall commented.
Hudnall recently participated in the CMPS’s Senior Individual Community Problem Solving competition and won 1st in state and 2nd in the world with Hayley’s Box.
Hudnall said that she hopes to make Hayley’s Box a non-profit organization after school while also majoring in pre-med at the University of Pikeville. Her goal is to become a High Risk OBGYN while also informing others of Hayley’s Box and Hayley’s Bill.