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HB 1310

TO AMEND THE NEWBORN UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD INITIATIVE ACT; TO ABOLISH THE ARKANSAS COMMISSION FOR THE NEWBORN UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD INITIATIVE; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Flippo and 1 co-sponsor

Arkansas abolishes its Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative Commission, restructuring state oversight of cord blood banking programs and stem cell resource management.

Notification that HB1310 is now Act 104
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1310

Legislative bill overview

HB 1310 amends Arkansas's Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative Act and abolishes the Arkansas Commission for the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative, which previously oversaw cord blood banking programs. The bill includes an emergency clause, indicating the legislature deemed immediate implementation necessary. The measure has already been signed into law (Act 104) as of February 18, 2025.

Why is this important

Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells with potential medical applications for treating certain blood disorders and cancers. The abolishment of the oversight commission affects how Arkansas manages public cord blood banking programs, storage facilities, and access to these resources for medical treatment. This structural change may shift regulatory responsibility or alter the state's involvement in cord blood collection and preservation.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory vacuum: Eliminating the commission without clarifying which agency assumes oversight responsibilities could create ambiguity about who regulates cord blood banking standards and quality control.
  • Public banking access: The change may impact whether Arkansas maintains public cord blood banking options, potentially affecting lower-income families' access to these medical resources compared to private banking alternatives.
  • Emergency justification unclear: The emergency clause suggests urgency, but the bill's public rationale for rushing this particular restructuring is not evident, raising questions about legislative transparency.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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