MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services; Appropriations
By: Representative Gipson
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT STATE AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS, AGENCIES, OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES FROM USING ANY PUBLIC FUNDS FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES, SCIENTIFIC OR LABORATORY RESEARCH, OR OTHER KINDS OF INVESTIGATION THAT KILL OR INJURE HUMAN EMBRYOS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section:
(a) "Human embryo" means a viable fertilized human ovum, from the single cell stage to eight (8) weeks development, that is not located in a woman's body. This term does not include a fertilized human ovum that fails to develop further over a thirty-six-hour period except when the embryo is in a state of cryopreservation.
(b) "Public funds" means funds that are made available by the government of the United States, the State of Mississippi, or a local governmental subdivision, or from any other public source.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no public funds that are made available to any institution, board, commission, department, agency, official or employee of the State of Mississippi, or of any local political subdivision of the state, shall be used in any way for, to assist in, or to provide facilities for medical procedures, scientific or laboratory research, or other kinds of investigation that kill or injure a human embryo. This section does not apply to the following:
(a) In vitro fertilization and accompanying embryo transfer to a woman's body; and
(b) Any diagnostic procedure that may benefit the human embryo subject to the tests.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.