HF 3948

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/26/2016 07:40am

A bill for an act
relating to family law; establishing the Surrogacy Task Force; providing for
the study of legal issues implicated by gestational and traditional surrogacy in
Minnesota; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin SURROGACY TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Surrogacy Task Force for the study
of gestational and traditional surrogacy consists of 24 members, appointed by the
commissioner of human services except where otherwise specified, as follows:
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new text begin (1) the commissioner of human services or a person designated by the commissioner
of human services;
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new text begin (2) the commissioner of health or a person designated by the commissioner of health;
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new text begin (3) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the
house and one appointed by the minority leader;
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new text begin (4) two senators appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee
on Rules and Administration, one from the majority party and one from the minority party;
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new text begin (5) one person designated by the chair of the Family Law section and one person
designated by the chair of the Children and the Law section of the Minnesota State Bar
Association;
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new text begin (6) one person designated by the Minnesota County Attorney's Association;
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new text begin (7) one district court judge from the second or fourth judicial district appointed by the
chief justice of the Supreme Court and one district court judge with permanent chambers
outside of the metropolitan area appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court;
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new text begin (8) one person representing Minnesota fertility clinics who is a member of the
American Society of Reproductive Medicine;
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new text begin (9) one person representing the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition;
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new text begin (10) one person representing Minnesota-based children's advocacy nonprofits;
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new text begin (11) one person representing Minnesota surrogacy agencies;
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new text begin (12) one person representing mental health professionals who is a member of the
American Society for Reproductive Medicine mental health professionals group;
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new text begin (13) one person representing parents' rights advocacy groups;
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new text begin (14) one person representing RESOLVE: The National Fertility Association having
experienced gestational or traditional surrogacy, as appointed by RESOLVE;
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new text begin (15) one woman who has acted as a gestational or traditional surrogate, designated
by RESOLVE;
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new text begin (16) one woman who has acted as a gestational or traditional surrogate, designated
by the Minnesota Family Council;
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new text begin (17) one person representing Choice Moms organization, designated by that
organization;
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new text begin (18) one person representing Outfront Minnesota, designated by that organization;
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new text begin (19) one person representing the Minnesota Family Council, designated by that
organization; and
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new text begin (20) one person representing the Minnesota Catholic Conference, designated by that
organization.
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new text begin (b) Appointing and designating authorities shall appoint and designate members by
July 1, 2016.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Chair. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services or the commissioner's
designee shall serve as chair.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Compensation; expenses. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
15.059, members of the Surrogacy Task Force shall serve without compensation or
reimbursement of expenses.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Meetings. new text end

new text begin The task force shall meet as frequently and as often as necessary
to accomplish its purpose, but no less than quarterly. The commissioner of human services
shall convene the first meeting by July 31, 2016.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Staffing. new text end

new text begin The Department of Human Services shall provide staffing and
technical assistance within available resources.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Duties; report; expiration. new text end

new text begin The Surrogacy Task Force shall review and
study the legal issues implicated by the practice of gestational and traditional surrogacy
in the state of Minnesota and make recommendations to the legislature on legal issues
related to surrogacy. The Surrogacy Task Force must report its findings and make
recommendations to address legal issues implicated by surrogacy to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees in the house of representatives and the
senate with primary jurisdiction over health and judiciary by January 15, 2017. The report
must include draft legislation to implement the recommendations of the task force. The
task force expires on submission of the report required by this subdivision or on January
16, 2017, whichever is earlier.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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