CORD BLOOD STEM CELL BANKS

Senate Bill 1353

Sponsor:  Sen. Laura M. Toy

Senate Bill 1354

Sponsor:  Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom

House Committee:  None (Placed directly on House calendar)

Senate Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 12-11-06

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1353-1354 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 11-30-06

The bills are part of a legislative package to establish a network of cord blood stem cell banks; provide a tax credit for cash donations to the network of cord blood stem cell banks; promote awareness of the network and benefits of the uses of cord blood stem cells; include umbilical cord blood as a life science technology; and appropriate money from the 21^st Century Jobs Trust Fund to establish and support a statewide network of cord blood stem cell banks.  House Bills 6291-6295 have passed the full House and are pending action on the Senate floor.

Senate Bill 1353 would add several new definitions to the Public Health Code, and Senate Bill 1354 would promote public awareness about the statewide network of cord blood stem cell banks and require an annual report to the Legislature detailing funding expenditures.  Specifically, the bills would do the following:

Senate Bill 1353

The bill would add a new section to the Public Health Code (MCL 333.2681) to define several terms.  "Cord Blood unit" would mean the blood collected from a single placenta and umbilical cord.  "Donor" would mean a mother who delivered a baby and consented to the donation of the newborn's blood remaining in the placenta and umbilical cord.  "Donor bank" would mean a qualified cord blood stem cell bank that entered into a contract with the director of the Department of Community Health under provisions created by House Bill 6291.  "Human cord blood stem cells" would mean hematopoietic stem cells and other stem cells contained in the neonatal blood collected immediately after the birth from the separated placenta and umbilical blood.  "Network" would mean the statewide network of qualified cord blood stem cell banks established under House Bill 6291.  The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 6291.

 

 

 

Senate Bill 1354

The bill is nearly identical to the House-passed version of House Bill 6293.  The bill would add a new section to the Public Health Code (MCL 333.2683) to require the Department of Community Health to develop and disseminate, via the department's website, materials to educate the public about and increase awareness of the statewide network of cord blood stem cell banks and the benefits of cord blood stem cells.  Copies of the information would have to be provided at no charge to health facilities or agencies upon request.

The department would also have to prepare an annual report detailing the expenditure of funds related to the statewide network of cord blood stem cell banks established under House Bill 6291 and the public awareness efforts required under the bill.  The report would have to be submitted to the House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees on community health, the standing committees on public health, the House and Senate Fiscal Agencies, and the state budget director.  The first report would be due on or before April 7, 2007.  The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 6291 and Senate Bill 1353.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bill 1353 would have no fiscal impact.

Senate Bill 1354 (S-1) has fiscal implications for the Department of Community Health.  The bill requires the Department of Community Health to educate and inform the public, health care facilities, and health care professionals about the statewide network of cord blood stem cell banks, and the use of cord blood stem cells and banks.  This function will require a modest Department financial commitment for staff and publication and distribution costs, on an ongoing basis.  House Bill 6294 is a supplemental appropriation bill for $5.0 million to carry out these and other related functions that is currently before the Senate.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Susan Frey

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.