HB 1275: Medical practice; ensure that stem cell therapies are used to advance medical treatments and improve patient outcomes in an ethical manner that does not involve stem cells derived from aborted fetuses

Georgia law currently has no specific rules governing how doctors use human stem cell therapies that have not been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This bill adds a new section to Georgia's medical practice law (O.C.G.A. § 43-34-49) covering these treatments. The bill defines 'human stem cell therapy' to exclude any treatment or research using cells derived from an aborted fetus or embryo. It allows a physician, or a physician assistant or nurse practitioner designated by that physician, to perform stem cell therapy not approved by the FDA if the patient signs a consent form. The stem cells must come from facilities registered with the FDA or certified by specific accrediting organizations. Doctors advertising these treatments must include a required notice about FDA approval status. Violations can lead to discipline by the physician's licensing board. The bill does not restrict separate stem cell research conducted under federal oversight.

• Creates a new Georgia Code section (O.C.G.A. § 43-34-49) regulating human stem cell therapies that have not been approved by the FDA.
• Excludes from the definition of legal stem cell therapy any treatment or research using cells derived from an aborted fetus or embryo.
• Requires stem cells used in these therapies to come from FDA-registered facilities or facilities certified by specific accrediting organizations such as the American Association of Tissue Banks.
• Requires physicians to obtain signed patient consent forms describing the treatment, its FDA approval status, and expected results before performing the therapy.
• Requires a specific warning notice in any advertisement for these therapies, stating the treatment is not FDA-approved.
• Allows disciplinary action by a physician's licensing board for violations of these new requirements.

Physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who perform or advertise stem cell therapies in Georgia; patients considering these treatments; facilities that retrieve, manufacture, or store human stem cells; and the Georgia Department of Public Health, which helps determine accredited sources.

Patients seeking stem cell treatments would get a mandatory warning if the therapy is not FDA-approved and would have to sign a consent form explaining the treatment and its risks. Doctors would be barred from sourcing stem cells derived from aborted fetuses and would face licensing board discipline for violations.

• Section 1 lists legislative findings supporting the use of ethically sourced stem cells such as umbilical cord Wharton's jelly cells instead of cells derived from aborted fetuses.
• Section 2 adds new Code section 43-34-49, defining terms including 'human stem cell therapy,' 'minimally manipulated,' and 'Wharton's jelly' cells.
• Subsection (b) allows a physician or a designated physician assistant or nurse practitioner to perform non-FDA-approved stem cell therapy within their scope of practice with patient consent.
• Subsection (c) requires stem cells to come from FDA-registered facilities or facilities certified by named accrediting bodies like the World Marrow Donor Association.
• Subsection (g) and (h) require a specific warning notice in advertisements, in type no smaller than the largest type used in the ad.
• Subsections (i) and (j) require a signed consent form describing the treatment's nature, FDA approval status, and anticipated results.
• Subsection (k) exempts physicians operating under FDA investigational drug or device approval, or under contract with certain accredited institutions.
• Subsection (m) states the section does not restrict separate stem cell research conducted under federal law and institutional oversight.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-11Act 453
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-31House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2026-03-27Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2026-03-27Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2026-03-27Senate Taken from Table (Senate)

• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)Primary sponsor
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2026

   172 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #609

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 27, 2026

   26 yea, 22 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #835

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 27, 2026

   48 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 5 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #865

4. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2026

   166 yea, 1 nay (3 not voting, 6 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #815

• stem cell therapy
• medical practice regulation
• patient consent
• physician licensing
• abortion-related medical policy