SENATE FILE 56

BY  BOLKCOM

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to donation of newborn umbilical cord blood.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  135.39D  Donation of newborn umbilical cord blood —— exemption from civil liability.
   1.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary regarding blood donation, the principal prenatal health care provider of a woman who is known by the provider to be pregnant shall, prior to the thirty-fifth week of the woman’s pregnancy, provide the woman with information regarding options for donation of blood extracted from the umbilical cord of the newborn to an accepting and accredited cord blood bank, blood bank, blood center, or plasma center.
   2.  A person shall not be subject to civil liability for failure to comply with this section.
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to donation of newborn umbilical cord blood. The bill directs the principal prenatal health care provider of a woman known by the provider to be pregnant, to provide the woman, prior to the 35th week of the pregnancy, with information regarding the options for donation of umbilical cord blood to an accepting and accredited cord blood bank, blood bank, blood center, or plasma center. The bill provides an exemption from civil liability for failure to comply with the bill.