HEA 1253 Summary

• Repeals IC 12-31 (Umbilical Cord Blood) and transfers all powers, duties, records, property, and funds of the public umbilical cord blood bank to the state department of health effective upon passage.

• Establishes a new postnatal donation initiative under IC 16-21-11.2 to promote awareness of pregnant women's options to donate umbilical cord blood and postnatal tissue to registered establishments.

• Creates a postnatal donation board consisting of the state health commissioner, secretary of family and social services, director of minority health, and six appointed members including hospital executives, research scientists, ethicists, physicians, and donor bank representatives.

• Requires the state department of health to disseminate information about postnatal donation benefits, risks, diseases treatable with postnatal donations, and collection procedures to physicians, hospitals, clinics, maternity homes, nurse midwives, and birthing centers.

• Provides civil liability immunity for board members, volunteers, and healthcare providers who participate in good faith in the postnatal donation initiative, except for intentional, knowing, or reckless misconduct.