Paid surrogacy bill awaits Whitmer’s signature

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– The legislation legalizing paid surrogacy is currently waiting to be signed by Gov. Whitmer to become a law.

If Whitmer signs the package, Michigan will become the last state in the U.S. to decriminalize surrogacy contracts.

The nine-package known as the ‘Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act‘ passed in the state Senate yesterday.

“Decisions about if, when, and how to have a child are deeply personal. Politicians should not be dictating the terms of these private decisions that should be left to a family, their doctor, and those they love and trust,” said Whitmer.

“The Michigan Family Protection Act makes several commonsense, long overdue changes to remove criminal prohibitions on surrogacy, protect families formed by IVF, and ensure LGBTQ+ parents are treated equally. These changes will support parents in Michigan and guarantee that every child is treated equally and protected by the law, no matter how their parent chose to start a family.”

“While other states make it harder for you to start a family, we are making it easier in Michigan by expanding options for pregnancy, improving maternal and reproductive health care, and investing in the kitchen-table issues that lower the cost of raising a child, such as free pre-K and free school breakfast and lunch.”

“I look forward to reviewing and then signing the Michigan Family Protection Act when it reaches my desk. I will continue working closely with my partners in the Michigan Legislature to make our state the best place to start, raise, and grow your family,” Whitmer said.

If the bill becomes a law, it would lift the ban and set standards to protect the biological parents, the surrogate, and the child.

The bill will also require surrogates to be at least 21 years old, have previously given birth to a child, undergo medical and mental health exams, and have independent legal representation.

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