Oklahoma Bill Regarding Fetal Tissue Extraction (SB 763)

SB 763 would require physicians to preserve and submit fetal tissue when performing an abortion on a minor who is younger than 14 years old.

The physician would be required to submit the fetal tissue to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The Bureau would need to adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. Such rules would need to contain, at a minimum:

• The amount and type of fetal tissue to be preserved and submitted by a physician;
• Procedures for the proper preservation of such tissue for the purposes of DNA testing and examination;
• Procedures for documenting the chain of custody of such tissue for use as evidence;
• Procedures for the proper disposal of fetal tissue preserved;
• A uniform reporting form mandated to be utilized by physicians when submitting fetal tissue, which shall include the name and address of the physician submitting the fetal tissue and the name and complete address of residence of the parent or legal guardian of the minor upon whom the abortion was performed; and
• Procedures for communication with law enforcement regarding evidence and information obtained.

A physician who fails to comply with the requirements of this provision would be constitute unprofessional conduct and would be committing a felony.

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