§ 20-8-504 - Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative. - Arkansas Statutes

20-8-504. Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative.

(a) (1) On or before June 30, 2008, the Arkansas Commission for the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative shall establish a network of postnatal tissue and fluid banks in partnership with one (1) or more public or private colleges or universities, public or private hospitals, nonprofit organizations, or private firms in this state for the purpose of collecting and storing postnatal tissue and fluid.

(2) The Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank shall create a voluntary program to make tissue and fluid available for scientific research and medical treatment in accordance with this subchapter.

(3) A parent of a child born in this state may voluntarily contribute postnatal tissue and fluid to the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank.

(b) (1) The commission shall develop a voluntary program to educate pregnant patients with respect to the banking of postnatal tissue and fluid.

(2) The program shall include:

(A) An explanation of the difference between public and private postnatal tissue and fluid banking programs;

(B) The medical process involved in the collection and storage of postnatal tissue and fluid;

(C) The current and potential future medical uses of stored postnatal tissue and fluid;

(D) The benefits and risks involved in the banking of postnatal tissue and fluid; and

(E) The availability and cost of storing postnatal tissue and fluid in public and private umbilical cord blood banks.