March 11, 2024 Group Watch: AL Lawmakers & Governor Protect IVF in State
Governor Ivey signed into law the bill to protect Alabama IVF services after Alabama lawmakers gave final passage last Wednesday night to a bill that gives legal protection to in vitro fertilization clinics. The legislation came in response to a state Supreme Court ruling that resulted in a pause of services. Lawmakers scrambled to provide immunity that would allow clinics to resume services after the court ruled that frozen embryos held in storage have the legal status of children for purposes of civil liability under Alabama’s wrongful death of a minor law. The House and Senate passed similar, but not identical, bills on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, the Senate concurred with a House-passed bill by a vote of 29-1. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, which had paused IVF services, issued a statement Wednesday saying they would resume. UAB expressed appreciation to the Legislature and Governor Ivey for swiftly passing and signing legislation that provides some protections and will allow UAB to resume in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.
