MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers facing public pressure to restart in vitro fertilization services in the state advanced legislation to shield providers from the fallout of a court ruling that equated frozen embryos to children.
Committees in the state Senate and House on Tuesday approved identical bills that would protect providers from lawsuits and criminal prosecution for the “damage or death of an embryo” during IVF services.
The state's three major IVF providers paused services after the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling last month because of the sweeping liability concerns it raised.
The court decision received immediate backlash as groups across the country raised concerns about a ruling recognizing embryos as children.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a group representing IVF providers across the country, said the legislation does not go far enough.
Persons:
Court's, Kay Ivey, ”, Terri Collins, Beth, Joshua Davis, Dillard, “ We’ve, ” Beth Davis, “, ” Beth David, Michael C, “ There's, ” Allemand, Sean Tipton, Roe, Wade, Collins, doesn't
Organizations:
—, House, Alabama, Gov, Alabama Fertility, American Society for Reproductive, ”, Democrats, Republicans, State Republicans
Locations:
MONTGOMERY, Ala, — Alabama, Alabama, New York, Louisiana