SF0048

Authorizes physicians to recommend and perform stem cell therapy on patients under specified conditions and prohibits state medical licensing actions against physicians for providing such therapy.

• Defines key terms including stem cell therapy (limited to autologous mesenchymal stem cells and excluding those derived from abortion), institutional review boards, investigational drugs/biologics/devices, current good manufacturing practices, and physicians under the article. (W.S. 35-4-1102)
• Allows patients to receive and physicians to perform unapproved stem cell therapy if conducted under institutional review board approval or as an investigational product, manufactured according to current good manufacturing practice standards, with an existing physician-patient relationship, and with written informed consent disclosing the nature, FDA non-approval status, risks and benefits, and financial responsibility. (W.S. 35-4-1103(a))
• Requires that stem cell therapy be administered by a physician or under direct physician supervision, and that all activities other than actual stem cell administration be physician-supervised. (W.S. 35-4-1103(b))
• Permits health carriers to voluntarily provide coverage for stem cell therapy costs but does not require them to do so. (W.S. 35-4-1103(d))
• Prohibits the Wyoming state board of medicine from revoking, failing to renew, suspending, or taking other licensing actions against a physician based solely on recommendations regarding stem cell therapy access or performing such therapy, provided the recommendations or procedures comply with medical standards of care. (W.S. 35-4-1104)
• Prohibits state officials, employees, and agents, and political subdivisions from prohibiting or attempting to prohibit patient access to stem cell therapy, though counseling or recommendations consistent with medical standards of care are permitted. (W.S. 35-4-1105)
• Provides that no private cause of action may be brought against any person involved in stem cell therapy or manufacturing if the person complies with the act's requirements and medical standards of care. (W.S. 35-4-1106)