HB 20-1014 Summary

• Establishes civil liability for health care providers who knowingly use donor gametes (eggs, sperm, or embryos) in assisted reproduction procedures without express patient consent, allowing patients, spouses, partners, and resulting children to bring lawsuits.

• Prevailing plaintiffs are entitled to reasonable attorney fees and either actual damages for injuries suffered (including emotional distress) or liquidated damages of $50,000 per child born from the procedure.

• Creates a new Class 6 felony offense of "misuse of gametes" for health care providers who knowingly use non-consented donor gametes during assisted reproduction treatment.

• Makes misuse of gametes grounds for professional discipline and license revocation for health care providers under Colorado medical board regulations.

• Extends statute of limitations for civil claims arising under this law by making standard medical malpractice time limits inapplicable and allowing discovery-based statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of the offense.