BILL NUMBER: SB 962	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Migden

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2007

   An act to add Section 124991 to the Health and Safety Code,
relating to umbilical cord blood banking.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 962, as introduced, Migden. Umbilical cord blood banking:
information.
   The Hereditary Disorders Act requires the State Department of
Health Services to establish regulations and standards for a
hereditary disorders program, including with respect to prenatal
testing programs for newborns. A violation of these provisions is a
crime.
   Pursuant to this act, existing regulations require clinicians to
provide all pregnant women, at the first prenatal visit, with
information about the use and availability of prenatal screening for
birth defects of the fetus. If a pregnant woman voluntarily requests
prenatal screening, these regulations, among other things, require a
clinician to make available to her the opportunity to read and sign a
consent document, as specified.
   Effective July 1, 2007, responsibility for the administration of
the above-mentioned provisions will be transferred to the State
Department of Public Health.
   This bill would require that the information and opportunities
provided to pregnant women related to prenatal screening also include
the same maner of information and opportunities related to umbilical
cord blood banking, as specified.
   By expanding the definition of an existing crime, this bill would
create a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares that the removal and
discarding of umbilical cord blood from a pregnant woman at the time
of birth delivery, without the understanding and approval of the
expectant families, is a growing concern to the people of this state.

  SEC. 2.  Section 124991 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to
read:
   124991.  (a) For purposes of this section, "umbilical cord blood"
means the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after
the birth of a newborn child.
   (b) The information provided to pregnant women pursuant to Section
6527 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations, and the
requirements associated therewith, shall also include the option of
umbilical cord blood banking. For purposes of this section, these
options shall include:
   (1) Discarding the stem cells.
   (2) Donating the stem cells to a public umbilical cord blood bank.

   (3) Storing the stem cells in a family umbilical cord blood bank
for the use by the immediate and extended family members.
  SEC. 3.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.