The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1203 pertaining to qualifying egg banks sponsored by Sens. Becker, Breaux, Mishler and Crider. The bill:
- amends the definition of “qualified third party” and changes the term to “qualified egg bank” in the law regarding unlawful transfer of a human organism,
- specifies qualifications for a physician overseeing medical services related to ovum cryopreservation,
- specifies requirements that must be met by a fertility clinic or similar medical facility in order to be considered a qualified egg bank, and
- exempts from the criminal offense of unlawful transfer of a human organism the payment to or receipt by a qualified egg bank of an amount for: (1) the retrieval of a human ovum; (2) thecryopreservation of a human ovum; (3) the transportation of a human ovum; or (4) other aspects of specified treatments or procedures to enhance human reproductive capability.
Testimony in support of the bill was presented by Dr. Bradford Bopp and in opposition to the bill by the Indiana Catholic Conference. The bill passed on a vote of 7-1.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2018/bills/house/1203