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Arkansas ‘Prohibition of Public Funding of Human Cloning and Destructive Embryo Research Act’ (HB 1399)

This law was last updated on Apr 12, 2019

This law is Anti–Choice

State

Arkansas

Number

HB 1399

Status

Signed into Law

Proposed

Feb 6, 2019

Sponsors

Co-sponsors: 10
Primary Sponsors: 2
Total Sponsors: 12

Topics

Fetal Tissue, Human Embryo and Fetal Research

Full Bill Text

www.arkleg.state.ar.us

HB 1399 prohibits state funding of certain types of research involving human embryos.

The bill prohibits public funds from being used to finance human cloning or “destructive embryo research” and “destructive embryonic stem cell research.”

Public funds may not be used to buy, receive, or otherwise transfer gametes or a human embryo with the knowledge that the gametes or embryo will be destroyed in the course of the research or procedure.

The bill prohibits public funds, facilities, or employees from being used to knowingly destroy human embryos for the purpose of research or knowingly participate in human cloning or attempted human cloning.

The bill defines “destructive embryo research” to mean:

“[…]medical procedures, scientific or laboratory research, or other types of investigation that kill or injure the human embryo subject of the procedure or research.”

Exceptions

Research funding would not be restricted for the following:

  • In vitro fertilization and accompanying embryo transfer to the body of a woman;
  • Administration of fertility enhancing drugs;
  • Research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, deoxyribonucleic acid, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans; and
  • Any diagnostic procedure that benefits the human embryo subject to destructive tests while not imposing risks greater than those considered acceptable for other human research subjects.

A person who fails to comply with the law would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000, and be at risk of having their professional license denied or revoked.

Latest Action

2/6/19 – Introduced.

2/19/19 – Passed the House by a 71-13 vote.

3/27/19 – Passed the Senate by a 26-1 vote.

3/29/19 – House concurred.

4/2/19 – Signed into law by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

People

Co-sponsor

Primary Sponsor

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