HB1275: HB1275 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 currently has no specific law governing how physicians may use human stem cell therapies that have not been approved by the FDA. This bill adds a new section to Georgia's medical practice law (O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 34) to regulate that practice. It allows physicians, and physician assistants or nurse practitioners designated by them, to perform stem cell therapies not approved by the FDA, as long as the treatment falls within their scope of practice and the patient signs a consent form. The stem cells used must come from facilities registered with the FDA or certified by specific accrediting organizations, and cannot be derived from an aborted fetus or embryo. Physicians must include a specific warning in any advertisement about unapproved therapies, get informed consent describing the treatment and its FDA status, and report certification changes within 30 days. The bill exempts physicians already operating under FDA investigational approval or working for certain accredited institutions, and it does not restrict stem cell research conducted under federal oversight.

• Creates a new Georgia law letting physicians (and designated physician assistants or nurse practitioners) perform stem cell therapies not yet approved by the FDA, if within their scope of practice.
• Bans the use of stem cells derived from aborted fetuses or embryos in these therapies, limiting sourcing to options like umbilical cord or adult stem cells.
• Requires stem cells to come from facilities registered with the FDA or certified by specific named accrediting groups, such as the American Association of Tissue Banks.
• Requires a specific written warning in any advertisement for unapproved stem cell therapy and a signed patient consent form before treatment.
• Requires facilities to notify treating physicians within 30 days of any change in their certification or accreditation status.
• Allows professional licensing boards to take disciplinary action against physicians or their designees who violate the new requirements.

Physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who offer stem cell therapies in Georgia; patients considering these treatments; stem cell retrieval, manufacturing, and storage facilities; and professional licensing boards responsible for disciplining violations.

Patients seeking stem cell therapies would get clearer advertising disclosures and written consent explaining that a treatment lacks FDA approval, while providers would face specific sourcing and certification rules meant to keep aborted fetal tissue out of these treatments and expose violators to licensing discipline.

• Section 1 lays out legislative findings favoring ethically sourced stem cell therapies, such as those using umbilical cord Wharton's jelly cells, over cells derived from aborted fetuses.
• Section 2 adds new Code section 43-34-49 defining terms like 'human stem cell therapy,' 'minimally manipulated,' and 'Wharton's jelly,' and excluding cells from aborted fetuses or embryos from the definition.
• Subsection (b) permits physicians, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners to perform FDA-unapproved stem cell therapy within their scope of practice with patient consent.
• Subsections (c) and (d) require stem cells to come from FDA-registered facilities or those certified by named accrediting bodies, and bar physicians from using uncertified sources.
• Subsections (g) and (h) require a specific mandatory warning notice in advertisements, in type no smaller than the largest text used in the ad.
• Subsections (i) and (j) require a signed consent form covering the treatment's nature, its FDA approval status, and anticipated results.
• Subsection (k) exempts physicians operating under FDA investigational approval or working for certain accredited institutions from these requirements.
• Subsection (l) allows disciplinary action by the physician's professional licensing board for violations.

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
• fetal tissue research