SB1691 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 11115 KBJ 31449 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
SB1691

Introduced 2/9/2007, by Sen. Carole Pankau - William R. Haine - Christine Radogno - Pamela J. Althoff - Edward D. Maloney, et al.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Umbilical Cord Blood Bank Commission. Sets out the specific requirements for appointment to the Commission. Sets out the specific duties and responsibilities of the Commission with respect to the development of plans regarding umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. Provides that the Commission shall file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2009. Provides that the report shall contain recommendations for a plan to establish the Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank based upon the activities and findings of the Commission. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Umbilical Cord Blood Bank Commission Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds and declares all of the following:

(1) Over 100 million Americans and 2 billion other humans worldwide suffer from diseases that may eventually be treated more effectively or even cured with stem cells.

(2) Stem cell research has been hampered by the controversy over embryonic stem cells.

(3) Stem cells are not found only in embryos.

(4) The umbilical cord, placenta, and amniotic fluid are rich in stem cells, which may be used for scientific research and medical treatment without destroying embryos.

(5) Stem cell research using stem cells from postnatal tissue and fluid has already resulted in treatments for anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle cell disease, spinal cord injury, and Crohn's disease.

(6) Stem cell therapies using stem cells from postnatal tissue and fluid are being studied for diseases as wide-ranging and diverse as corneal degeneration, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

(7) It shall be the public policy of this State to encourage the donation, collection, and storage of stem cells collected from postnatal tissue and fluid and to make such stem cells available for both scientific research and medical treatment. It shall also be the public policy of this State to encourage ethical research in life science and regenerative medicine.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Amniotic fluid" means the fluid inside the amnion.

"Commission" means the Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank Commission.

"Placenta" means the organ that forms on the inner wall of the human uterus during pregnancy.

"Postnatal tissue and fluid" means the placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid expelled or extracted in connection with the birth of a human being.

"Quorum" means a majority of the appointed Commission members.

"Stem cells" means unspecialized or undifferentiated cells that can self-replicate and have the potential to differentiate into specialized cell types.

"Umbilical cord" means the gelatinous tissue and blood vessels connecting an unborn human being to the placenta.

Section 15. Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank Commission; establishment. There is created the Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank Commission, which shall consist of 17 members appointed as provided in this Section. One member who is representative of a public college, university, or medical school shall be appointed by the Governor and serve as the chairperson of the Commission. Four members each shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. Of these 4 members, there shall be at least one of each of the following: a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches; a recognized medical ethicist with an accredited degree in medicine, medical ethics, or theology; a scientific researcher in stem cell research; and an attorney with experience in public health or biotechnology law. The initial terms of office for the members of the Commission shall begin on October 1, 2007. Appointments shall be made by the respective appointing authorities no later than September 1, 2007. Vacancies shall be filled by the respective appointing authority. The Commission shall meet at least 4 times per year at the call of the Chair or upon the request of a majority of the members appointed. The Commission must have a quorum in order to conduct any business.

Section 20. Duties and responsibilities of the Commission.

The Commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) to develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of the Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank;

(2) to develop a plan to ensure the privacy of persons who donate umbilical cord blood and placental tissue to the Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank, which must be consistent with applicable federal guidelines;

(3) to develop a plan for making postnatal tissue and fluid collected for the Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank available for scientific research and medical treatment and to ensure compliance with all relevant national practice and quality standards relating to such use;

(4) to develop a plan for private storage of postnatal tissue and fluid for medical treatment or to make potential donors aware of private storage options for said tissue and fluid as deemed in the public interest; and

(5) to develop a plan to participate in the National Cord Blood Program and to register postnatal tissue and fluid collected with registries operating in connection with the Program.

The Commission shall provide for the protection from disclosure of the identity of persons making donations to the Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank. The Commission may request additional funding from any sources, including, but not limited to, federal and private grants.

Section 25. Report. The Commission shall file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2009. The report shall contain recommendations for a plan to establish the Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank based upon the activities and findings of the Commission. The report shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) the legislative changes necessary to fulfill the goals of this Act;

(2) the fiscal impact of the plan and suggested sources of funding;

(3) recommendations for the oversight and governance of the Illinois Umbilical Cord Blood Bank; and

(4) any other information deemed appropriate by the Commission.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.