SB455 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Vivian Davis FiguresHarri Anne SmithGreg J. ReedShadrack McGillDick BrewbakerPaul BussmanClay ScofieldGerald O. DialBryan TaylorGeorge M. “Marc” KeaheyArthur OrrCam WardGerald H. AllenJ.T. WaggonerDel MarshRodger SmithermanRusty GloverHank SandersRoger Bedford, Jr.Priscilla DunnJerry L. Fielding

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Uniform Parentage Act, assisted reproduction, spouse of married man or woman regarding to consent to donation of sperm or eggs, Sec. 26-17-704 am'd

Summary

This bill would require written spousal consent before donating eggs or sperm for assisted reproduction and set how that consent is recorded and maintained.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill amends Alabama's Uniform Parentage Act to require a married donor's spouse to provide written consent before donation of eggs or sperm for assisted reproduction. The consent must be in a signed record and kept by a licensed physician, and either spouse may withdraw consent at any time before placement of the donated material. There are specific consent rules for donations involving a wife or husband donating to a non-spouse recipient, and for cases where a husband’s signature is not obtained but paternity may still be recognized if the couple presents the child as theirs.

Who It Affects

• Married individuals who want to donate eggs or sperm for assisted reproduction (and their spouses), who must sign and maintain consent records and may withdraw consent before donation.
• Licensed assisting physicians and fertility clinics, who must obtain, document, and keep records of spousal consent before donation and manage withdrawal requests.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 26-17-704 to require written spousal consent before donation of eggs or sperm for assisted reproduction.
• Consent for a married woman to pursue assisted reproduction for herself must be a record signed by the woman and her husband and kept by the assisting physician.
• Consent by the husband of a married woman is not required for the donation of eggs by the married woman for assisted reproduction by another woman.
• Written consent by the husband of a married woman is required for the donation of eggs by the woman for assisted reproduction of a woman who is not his wife.
• Written consent by the wife of a married man is required for the donation of sperm by the man for assisted reproduction of a woman who is not his wife.
• Consent may be withdrawn by the consenting spouse at any time before placement of donated material, with a signed record maintained by the physician.
• If the husband does not sign, that does not automatically bar paternity if the wife and husband openly held the child out as theirs.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Uniform Parentage Act