§ 32-3212 — Umbilical cord blood; patient information; definition

A. Beginning January 1, 2007, if a health professional has a patient who is in her second trimester of pregnancy, the health professional must inform the patient of the following options relating to stem cells that are contained in the umbilical cord blood after the delivery of her child:

1. Discard the stem cells.

2. Donate the stem cells to a public umbilical cord blood bank.

3. Store the stem cells in a family umbilical cord blood bank for use by the immediate and extended family members.

4. Store the stem cells for family use through a family or sibling donor banking program that provides free collection, processing and storage where there is a medical need.

B. If the department of health services has issued a pamphlet on this subject, the health professional must also provide the patient with this pamphlet.

C. A health professional meets the notification requirements of this section by providing this information verbally or in writing or by providing the woman with a publication prepared by the department of health services.

D. This section does not impose an obligation on a health professional to inform a pregnant woman regarding the option of umbilical cord blood collection if that information conflicts with the health professional's bona fide religious beliefs.

E. A person who acts in good faith pursuant to this section is not subject to civil or criminal liability or professional discipline for those acts.

F. For the purposes of this section, "umbilical cord blood" means the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a newborn child.