ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Parents of stillborn children can now receive official recognition from New York State. Until now, there was no way to formally recognize these pregnancies that ended before or during birth. Last week, a new law took effect, allowing mothers and fathers to receive a Certificate of Still Birth. The law is retroactive and its co-sponsor, Senator Tim Kennedy, will be among the parents who will be able to obtain one of those documents. "I constantly recall what my family went through when we lost my nephew, John Muldarek, to stillbirth, and later my daughter, Bridget," said Kennedy. About 1,700 pregnancies in New York State ended in stillbirth in 2009. You can learn more about applying and download an application here.