MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Human Services

By: Representative Arnold

House Bill 505

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 41-75-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT LICENSED ABORTION FACILITIES FROM SELLING STEM CELLS THAT 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 IF AN ABORTION FACILITY IS FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED THIS SECTION, THE LICENSING AGENCY SHALL REVOKE THE LICENSE OF THE ABORTION FACILITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  The following shall be codified as Section 41-75-27, Mississippi Code of 1972:

     41-75-27.  (1)  No abortion facility licensed under this chapter or any person on behalf of an abortion facility may sell any stem cells that were derived from a human embryo or human fetus that was destroyed, discarded or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death.  If the licensing agency, after a hearing under Section 41-75-11, determines that a licensee has violated this section, the licensing agency shall revoke the license of the abortion facility.

     (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 sets of chromosomes, such as somatic cells).

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.