SB16 Summary

• Establishes eligibility for patients with terminal illnesses or severe chronic diseases to access investigational adult stem cell treatments under specified conditions, including physician attestation and consideration of FDA-approved alternatives.

• Requires written informed consent from eligible patients (or parent/guardian for minors) before receiving investigational stem cell treatment.

• Mandates treatment be administered by a certified physician at a licensed hospital, ambulatory surgical center, or accredited medical school facility, with oversight by an institutional review board that must maintain patient records and submit annual reports to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.

• Prohibits the buying, selling, or transferring of adult stem cells for valuable consideration in investigational treatments, except for fees for medical services, reimbursement of legal or medical expenses, or reimbursement of donor travel, housing, and lost wages; violation is a Class A misdemeanor.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.