Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes parents to financially compensate surrogates.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a surrogacy broker to open within the state of Washington in order to facilitate compensation payment directly or indirectly between the intended parents and the individual agreeing to be a surrogate (Sec. 905).

• Defines “surrogacy broker” as any agency, business, or individual engaged in, arranging, or facilitating monetary transactions between the individual agreeing to become a surrogate and intended parents (Sec. 905).

• Requires an individual that wants to become a surrogate sign a notarized agreement that recognizes the intended parent(s) parental rights in order to receive compensation payment greater than the cost and medical expenses related to the pregnancy (Sec. 704).

• Requires that such an agreement include information related to surrogacy cost, insurance coverage, and health care policy provisions (Sec. 704).

• Specifies that the marital status or sexual orientation of an individual agreeing to become a surrogate will not affect the validity or amount of the surrogacy agreement (Sec. 705).

• Amends the Uniform Parentage Act by replacing all references to mother and father with gender-neutral terms like “parent” (Secs. 102-905).

Full Bill Text