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Legislation aims to clarify parental rights
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Posted on Mar 19 2019
Sen. Vinnie F. Sablan (Ind-Saipan) has introduced a bill to address the lack of law regarding genetic or gestational surrogacy.
Senate Bill 21-26 would establish the Commonwealth Uniformed Parentage Act in the CNMI.
Sablan said providing clarity and uniformity for all possible parentage rights in the CNMI is the driving force of the bill.
“Now that surrogacy has been introduced as an option in the CNMI, it is important that we put in place regulations to ensure that all parties are protected from any liability that may arise,” said Sablan.
Being a surrogate parent has become an employment opportunity to qualified females in the CNMI, where a paid advertisement in the local newspaper was also published.
The ad is looking for females between 21 to 40 years old and have at least given birth once naturally. The compensation is from $25,000 to $35,000 with $500 for successful referrals.
“Due to the complexity of surrogacy, it is advisable to have an independent legal representation throughout the surrogacy arrangement for each party involved. S.B. 21-26 does not aim to stop the industry, but [aims to] ensure that all aspects of the process are covered so that both parties are protected,” Sablan said.
