“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
I would like to point that despite have numerous members who wanted to speak to this package of bills, the majority limited the minority party to one speech despite the importance of this legislation. Additionally, it is my belief and understanding that this legislation is bad for the state of Michigan, women, and children, and that can be seen in the number of nations who have outlawed the practice of paid surrogacy.”
Rep. St. Germaine, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
Surrogacy is already legal in Michigan. I am not opposed to surrogacy itself.
However, the surrogacy package did not include any safeguards for the exploitation of low-income women.”
Rep. Schmaltz, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
Surrogacy is already legal in Michigan, and it has brought joy to many couples. My opposition to these bills is not to surrogacy itself. Our current laws recognize that surrogate mothers and the babies they carry need safeguards to protect them from exploitation. Our law helps provide those safeguards by banning compensated surrogacy and the legally binding contracts that come with it. I cannot in good conscience vote for legislation the removes those protections.”
House Bill No. 5208, entitled
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending sections 2822, 2824, 2831, 2832, and 2891 (MCL 333.2822, 333.2824, 333.2831, 333.2832, and 333.2891), section 2822 as amended by 2017 PA 142, sections 2824, 2831, and 2832 as amended by 1996 PA 307, and section 2891 as amended by 2020 PA 209.
Was read a third time and passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, by yeas and nays, as follows: