HB579 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jamie Ison

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Mary Sue McClurkin

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Pregnant women, umbilical cord blood, education regarding the potential benefits of donations, storage, and use, Umbilical Cord Blood Storage Information Act

Summary

The bill would create the Umbilical Cord Blood Storage Information Act to educate pregnant women about cord blood and provide options to donate or bank it, with duties for health care providers and public health information to support the choices.

What This Bill Does

It would require health care providers to advise pregnant women in the last trimester about the medical uses of stem cells in umbilical cord blood and options for banking or donating after birth. It would require the Department of Public Health to create and distribute electronic publications by January 1, 2012 with information on collection, risks, uses, costs, ownership options, availability of banks, and resources. It would require health care facilities and providers to permit and assist with banking or donating when requested, unless medically inadvisable or restricted by religious beliefs, and to inform patients if they decline.

Who It Affects

• Pregnant women in Alabama (especially in the last trimester) who would receive information about umbilical cord blood and have the option to donate or bank it after birth.
• Health care providers and health care facilities that treat pregnant women, who must inform patients about cord blood uses and assist with banking or donating, or inform patients if they decline.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Umbilical Cord Blood Storage Information Act to educate pregnant women and provide opportunities to donate or bank cord blood after birth.
• Health care providers in the last trimester must advise patients about the medical uses of cord blood stem cells and options for banking or donating, with timely notices via websites or Department of Public Health publications.
• The Department of Public Health must by January 1, 2012 publish electronic information on collection processes, risks, current and potential uses, costs, ownership options, availability of banks, and resources.
• Health care facilities and providers must permit and assist with banking or donating when requested, except when medically inadvisable or conflicting with bona fide religious beliefs, and must inform patients if they decline.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Women