MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Arnold
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF STEM CELLS IN ANY RESEARCH OR ANY THERAPY PROCEDURES IF THE STEM CELLS WERE DERIVED FROM A HUMAN EMBRYO OR HUMAN FETUS THAT WAS DESTROYED, DISCARDED OR KNOWINGLY SUBJECTED TO RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH; TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION OF THIS ACT IS A FELONY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) No person in Mississippi may use stem cells in any research or any therapy procedures if the stem cells were derived from a human embryo or human fetus that was destroyed, discarded or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death.
(2) As used in this act, the term "human embryo" means any organism that is derived by fertilization, parthenogenesis, cloning, or any other means from one or more human gametes (sperm or egg) or human diploid cells (cells that have two (2) sets of chromosomes, such as somatic cells).
(3) Any person who violates this act is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to the custody of the State Department of Corrections for not more than five (5) years or fined not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), or both.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.