Signed by Governor Sam Brownback

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that establishes the Midwest Center for Stem Cell Therapy within the University of Kansas Medical Center, to perform research using non-embryonic stem cells.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center to perform certain research including, but not limited to, the following activities (Sec.1):
• Activities that advance adult, cord blood, and related non-embryonic stem cell research and therapies for patient treatment;
• Activities that produce clinical grade stem cells from adult tissues, cord blood and related materials for use in clinical trials and therapies; and
• Activities that initiate clinical trials with adult, cord blood, and related stem cells.

• Prohibits the use of any funds or facilities of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center for the procurement of embryonic stem cells or fetal tissue cells (Sec. 5).

• Establishes an advisory board with the position of a director, composed of 14 appointed members and 1 ex officio member (Secs. 2-4).

• Authorizes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center to utilize unused medications from donating entities (Secs. 9-11).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that establishes the Midwest Center for Stem Cell Therapy within the University of Kansas Medical Center, to perform research using non-embryonic stem cells.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center to perform certain research including, but not limited to, the following activities (Sec.1):
• Activities that advance adult, cord blood, and related non-embryonic stem cell research and therapies for patient treatment;
• Activities that produce clinical grade stem cells from adult tissues, cord blood and related materials for use in clinical trials and therapies; and
• Activities that initiate clinical trials with adult, cord blood, and related stem cells.

• Prohibits the use of any funds or facilities of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center for the procurement of embryonic stem cells or fetal tissue cells (Sec. 5).

• Establishes an advisory board with the position of a director, composed of 14 appointed members and 1 ex officio member (Secs. 2-4).

• Authorizes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center to utilize unused medications from donating entities (Secs. 9-11).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Midwest Center for Stem Cell Therapy within the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center to perform certain research including, but not limited to, the following activities (Sec.1):
• Activities that advance adult, cord blood and related non-embryonic stem cell research and therapies for patient treatment;
• Activities that produce clinical grade stem cells from adult tissues, cord blood and related materials for use in clinical trials and therapies;
• Activities that initiate clinical trials with adult, cord blood, and related stem cells.

• Defines “adult, cord blood, and related stem cells” as stem cells derived from postnatal tissue cells, umbilical cord blood, and cord tissue including Wharton’s jelly, amniotic fluid, and placental tissue (Sec. 6).

• Prohibits the use of center funds and facilities for research involving “embryonic stem cells” (Sec. 5).

• Defines “embryonic stem cells” as stem cells derived from early stage human embryos, up to and including the blastocyst stage (Sec. 6).

• Requires the director of the Center to submit an annual report to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare, House Committee on Appropriations, and House Committee on Health and Human Services at the beginning of the regular session of the legislature beginning in 2014 (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the director of the Center to solicit and receive grants, gifts, contributions or bequests made for the purpose of furthering the goals and missions of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center (Sec. 2).

• Establishes an advisory board with the position of a Director, composed of 14 appointed members and 1 ex officio member (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text