SB 581 - This act requires disclosure of the transfer or use of human fetal parts. The act defines "human fetal parts" as any deceased fetus or child who has been delivered by means of induced or spontaneous abortion or any tissue or organ of such fetus or child. "Valuable consideration" is also defined to include methods of payment or debt incurrence associated with the transfer of human fetal parts.

A person is prohibited from transferring human fetal parts for valuable consideration without properly disclosing the information surrounding the transfer to the Department of Health. The shipping of human fetal parts is also prohibited by any person, entity, or transferee without full disclosure of the contents to the shipping carrier.

This act will not apply to the transfer without payment of human fetal tissue by a family to a pathologist for testing, to the transfer of human fetal parts for burial or cremation, or to the procurement of anatomical gifts. Finally, any individual violating this act will be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and could also be subject to fines up to twice the amount of valuable consideration received for the transfer of human fetal parts.

This act is substantially similar to SB 943 (2000).
ERIN MOTLEY