Alabama lawmakers swiftly advanced a series of bills aimed at safeguarding in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, responding to a recent state Supreme Court ruling that caused clinics to halt parts of treatments, leaving many families in uncertainty.
Introduced just a day prior, the bills moved through Senate and House committees on Wednesday, signaling a rapid legislative response. With this momentum, new legislation could potentially restore IVF treatments as early as next week. The court’s ruling, which deemed frozen embryos as human beings with potential wrongful death liability for destruction, prompted chaos in fertility clinics. Reproductive rights advocates urged lawmakers to act promptly to provide clarity and protect IVF providers from legal repercussions.
Republican Rep. Terri Collins sponsored House Bill 237, unanimously approved by the House Health Committee, alongside a companion bill introduced by Republican Sen. Tim Melson, Senate Bill 159, which advanced from the Senate Healthcare Committee.
One state representative indicated that HB 237 could move to the House floor on Thursday and potentially pass by the following Wednesday, eliciting applause.
If enacted, these bills would grant civil and criminal immunity to individuals involved in IVF-related goods and services, except for intentional acts of omission not linked to IVF services, with retroactive application.
During the committee hearing, a woman shared her personal IVF journey, emphasizing the necessity of IVF for her current pregnancy. She recounted freezing her eggs following a cancer diagnosis and treatment that threatened her fertility.
In addition to these bills, Senate Bill 160, introduced by Republican state Sen. Larry Stutts, aims to shield IVF providers from liability, albeit without retroactive application. This bill also progressed from the Senate Healthcare Committee and is slated for debate and vote on the Senate floor.
Stutts clarified that his bill intends to ensure continuity in IVF practices, allowing providers to maintain their operations without disruption.
