SB159 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: In vitro fertilization; civil and criminal immunity for death or damage to an embryo provided to persons when providing or receiving services related to IVF
Summary: SB159 would grant civil and criminal immunity to people and organizations involved in IVF and to manufacturers and carriers of IVF-related goods for embryo death or damage, with retroactive effect and a sunset repeal in 2025.
What This Bill Does
It provides civil and criminal immunity to individuals or entities providing or receiving IVF services for damage to or death of an embryo, except for intentional acts not arising from IVF. It extends immunity to manufacturers of goods used in IVF and to those who transport stored embryos, with damages limited to the price paid for the impacted IVF cycle and no criminal prosecutions. The act applies retroactively to acts not already subject to litigation on the effective date and is remedial in nature. It becomes effective immediately and automatically repeals on April 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
IVF service providers and recipients (e.g., clinics, doctors, labs, and patients) who would gain immunity from civil and criminal actions related to embryo death or damage in IVF, with an exception for intentional acts unrelated to IVF.
Manufacturers of goods used to facilitate the IVF process and transporters of stored embryos who would face limited damages (equal to the price paid for the impacted IVF cycle) and no criminal prosecutions.

Key Provisions
Civil and criminal immunity for any individual or entity providing or receiving IVF services for damage to or death of an embryo, with an exception for intentional acts not arising from IVF services.
Damages against manufacturers of IVF goods or transporters of stored embryos are limited to compensatory damages equal to the price paid for the impacted IVF cycle; no criminal prosecution may be brought against these manufacturers or transporters.
Retroactive application and remedial nature; act becomes effective immediately and automatically repeals on April 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Health