Wisconsin Bill Regarding the Sale and Research of Fetal Body Parts (AB 83)

This law was last updated on Sep 11, 2018

State

Wisconsin

Number

AB 83

Status

Failed to Pass

Proposed

Feb 23, 2017

Topics

Conscience and Refusal Clauses, Fetal Tissue, Human Embryo and Fetal Research

Full Bill Text

docs.legis.wisconsin.gov

AB 83 would ban the sale of fetal body parts, regulate certain research on fetal body parts, and require the final disposition of fetal body parts.

Sale and Research

The bill would prohibit any person from knowingly and for valuable consideration acquiring, receiving, or otherwise transferring a fetal body part and from knowingly using, for research, a fetal body part that is provided or received for valuable consideration.

The bill would prohibit knowingly acquiring or receiving any fetal body part for research from a for-profit entity, an abortion clinic, or an entity that has as its primary function obtaining fetal tissue for sale.

The bill would prohibit the altering of the timing, method, or procedures used to terminate an individual’s pregnancy solely for the purpose of obtaining a fetal body part for research. The bill would also prohibit a patient’s attending physician who obtains a fetal body part from being involved in performing research on the fetal body part.

The bill would require a person who uses or receives a fetal body part for research to obtain written documentation that the entity that provided the fetal body part did not obtain the fetal body part for valuable consideration and to maintain that written documentation for seven years.

Conscience Clause

The bill would exempt from criminal or civil liability or charges of unprofessional conduct a person who conscientiously objects to participation in research utilizing a fetal body part that violates that person’s moral or religious beliefs.

Final Disposition

The bill would require a physician who performs or induces an abortion to arrange for the final disposition of fetal body parts resulting from the abortion.

Any person who violates this provision would be subject to a fine of up to $50,000, or up to 9 months imprisonment, or both.

Blood Banks

The bill would require the Department of Health Services to request information from umbilical cord blood banks on creating a public cord blood collection operation.

Related Legislation

Companion bill to SB 422.

Similar to AB 305 and SB 260, both of which failed to pass in 2015.