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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 7, 2022 10:47 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative MaryLouise Isaacson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Fertility Fraud and Deception |
| News about “fertility fraud” legislation and lawsuits is appearing with increasing frequency in national and international headlines. Fertility fraud can be dangerous and traumatizing, with individuals who choose to use donor sperm feeling cheated, used, and scared, with some children running into unexpected and serious genetic medical issues as they grow up. By purposefully using their own sperm without informing their patients, these unscrupulous doctors are actively choosing to alter numerous lives without consent. However, very few states have any type of law specifically aimed at finding justice for victims of fertility fraud. My legislation aims to change this by holding accountable any doctor who purposefully uses their own sperm to inseminate a patient without that patient’s knowledge or consent. Doctors convicted of fertility fraud would commit a third-degree felony, as well as a Tier I sexual offense, requiring them to register as sex offenders with the Pennsylvania State Police. Offenders would also have their practitioner’s licenses revoked to prevent them from practicing again after serving any sentence imposed upon them. No one should go to a medical professional and have their trust violated in such a life-changing and permanent way. As legislators, it is our duty to support our constituents and find justice for those who have been so grossly wronged by a practitioner who pledged to protect them. Please join me in continuing to keep our constituents safe by co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB376