Alabama House Democrats introduced a bill last week that would make it clear that embryos do not count as human life under state law.

“I'm proud of HB 225, which immediately halts the Alabama Supreme Court's decision from a few weeks ago,” Daniels said. “Unfortunately, the court's ruling that frozen embryos stored in laboratory freezers are children is harmful to people hoping to start a family, especially those undergoing IVF. vinegar.”

Daniels said she has been consulting with fertility clinics and believes passing the bill will give them the protections they need to resume treatment.

This comes after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that the clinic could be held liable under the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act because a fetus is considered a human life under one of the proposed amendments to the Alabama Constitution. , clinics across the state temporarily suspended IVF treatments.

There is debate as to whether laws can have that effect or whether constitutional amendments make laws passed by the state unconstitutional.

“In my opinion, this requires passing a constitutional amendment that would create an exception for embryos in IVF clinics,” state Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) posted on X. In November, citizens will be able to vote on whether the proposed amendment will be added to the constitution. ”

Attorney General Steve Marshall has said he will not prosecute IVF donors in cases where embryos are destroyed, but civil cases like the one that prompted the ruling two weeks ago are both civil and criminal.

State Rep. Chestnut (D-Selma) said he hopes the bill does enough to allay clinics' concerns.

“As a result of this ruling, many fertility clinics in Alabama are currently suspending operations,” Chesnutt said. “This is disrupting the lives of women and hopeful parents who are using these treatments to start or grow families.”

Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence) is also working on a bill, as drafted, that would specifically protect embryos during in vitro fertilization. This language is different from the House bill, which protects embryos outside the uterus, although both appear to apply only to IVF situations.