House approves certification and licensure rules for IVF clinics and providers
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Summary
The House passed the substitute to Senate Bill 24-61 requiring licensure and biennial certification for physicians and laboratories performing in vitro fertilization, establishing SART certification as a benchmark and clarifying permissible embryo testing; sponsors said the measure addresses past clinic failures and protects patients and embryos.
The Tennessee House approved the substitute to Senate Bill 24-61, a set of licensing and certification requirements for in vitro fertilization (IVF) providers and laboratories. Chairman Williams, the bill sponsor, described three main elements: physician licensure for IVF practice, laboratory certification tied to SART standards, and restrictions on embryo testing.
"This bill does 3 things," Chairman Williams said on the floor. "It requires a certificate of licensure for a physician to practice IVF in the state. It requires a certificate of a laboratory for IVF or SART. Both of which require SART certification and define what testing can be done on embryos across the state based upon that same SART certification." Williams cited a past clinic closure and abandoned embryos as part of the rationale for the measure.
An amendment from Chairman Clemons refined the certification process to require the department to issue a certificate to a fertility clinic that submits and complies with the bill’s requirements on a biennial basis; the sponsor described the amendment as friendly. Supporters said the new regime provides oversight and patient protections that did not previously exist in Tennessee.
During debate, members thanked clinicians and committee staff who helped craft the bill. Representative Terry commended the sponsor for extensive work with stakeholders. Dissenting voices raised questions about administrative cost and the scope of oversight; one member noted the disciplinary board’s fiscal note before opposing an unrelated extension vote.
On third reading the House recorded 75 yeas and 5 nays, with 15 members present but not voting; the speaker declared the bill passed.
