Title 23
Health and Safety

Chapter 83
The Umbilical Cord Blood Donation Notification Act

R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-83-3

§ 23-83-3. Notification of option to donate umbilical cord blood.

(a) At a time determined to be appropriated by the treating clinician, in consultation with the patient, after the first trimester of pregnancy, and as soon as reasonably feasible, every obstetrical professional or facility in the state shall inform the pregnant woman once during her pregnancy of the following options relating to stem cells that are contained in her umbilical cord blood after the delivery of her child:

(1) Donate the stem cells to a public umbilical cord blood bank;

(2) Store the stem cells at the patient’s expense in a family umbilical cord blood bank for use by the immediate family and extended family members;

(3) Store the stem cells for family use through a family or sibling donor banking program that provides free collection, processing and storage where there is a medical need; or

(4) Discard the stem cells.

(b) A person who acts in good faith pursuant to this section is not subject to civil or criminal liability or professional discipline for those acts.

(c) Any obstetrical professional or facility receiving financial remuneration for the collection, processing, or transport of umbilical cord blood shall provide written disclosure of this information to the pregnant woman at the time that the notification of options for umbilical cord blood collection and donation is made pursuant to § 23-83-3.

(d) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a patient to donate her umbilical cord blood.

History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 101, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 153, § 1.