A bill to legalize paid surrogacy in Michigan is headed to the governor’s desk.
Stephanie Jones is a mother from surrogacy and founded the Michigan Fertility Alliance. She says the Michigan Family Protection Act will eliminate many issues that stem from a surrogate being listed on the birth certificate rather than the parents. This includes making emergency medical decisions for your child.
“When you’re not viewed by the state and by statute as the parent and the carrier, your hands are tied,” Jones said. “That is very scary and can be extremely frightening and just really leave people in a vulnerable position. No one knows how vulnerable you are until I think you find yourself in a situation of infertility or having another woman so graciously carry a child for you.”
The law will also ensure children have access to social security benefits and inheritance rights.
Michigan is currently the only state that has a criminal ban on paid surrogacy.
