Sec. 1. 19-A MRSA c. 52 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 52

SURROGACY

§1521.__Short title

This chapter is known and may be cited as the "Maine Surrogacy Act."

§1522.__Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Artificial insemination.__"Artificial insemination" means the introduction of semen into a woman's vagina, cervical canal or uterus through extracorporeal or noncoital means.

2.__Birth mother.__"Birth mother" means a woman who gestates an embryo conceived by natural or artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization, zygote transfer or as a result of a surrogacy arrangement.

3.__Donor. "Donor" means an individual who contributes a gamete for the purpose of artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization or implantation in a woman or a woman who contributes a zygote.

4.__Gamete. "Gamete" means a human ovum or a human spermatozoon.

5.__Health care provider. "Health care provider" means a person who is duly licensed, certified or otherwise authorized to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.

6. Informed consent.__"Informed consent" means a voluntary decision made by a competent person who exercises care for that person's own welfare about whether or not to participate in a proposed medical procedure or contractual arrangement that is based on a full awareness of:

A.__The medical and psychological risks;

B.__The legal, financial and contractual rights and obligations; and