COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford has signed into law a bill that allows women who have stillborn babies in South Carolina to receive a state certificate.

The certificate may be issued for stillbirths that come after 20 weeks of pregnancy and would not be required. Women could request one from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

DHEC officials have said the certificate would be something between a birth certificate and a death certificate.

Sanford signed several other bills on Thursday, including legislation he earlier vetoed that would strengthen background checks for prospective teachers.