§2720.5. Order Preceding Embryo Transfer

A. Within sixty days of the initiation of a proceeding to approve a gestational carrier contract, the court shall set the matter for hearing, and after the hearing may issue an order, known as the Order Preceding Embryo Transfer, approving the gestational carrier contract and declaring that the intended parents shall be recognized as the legal parents of a child born pursuant to the gestational carrier contract.

B. The court shall issue an Order Preceding Embryo Transfer upon finding that all of the following have occurred:

(1) The requirements of R.S. 9:2720-2720.3 have been satisfied and the reports of criminal records, validated complaints of child abuse or neglect, and Louisiana Protective Order Registry checks show that there is no risk of harm to the child or the gestational carrier.

(2) Provisions have been made for all reasonable healthcare and legal expenses associated with the gestational carrier contract until the birth of the child, including responsibility for those expenses if the contract is terminated.

(3) The gestational carrier will receive no compensation other than:

(a) Actual medical expenses, including hospital, testing, nursing, midwifery, pharmaceutical, travel, or other similar expenses, incurred by the gestational carrier for prenatal care and those medical and hospital expenses incurred incident to the birth.

(b) Actual expenses incurred for mental health counseling services provided to the gestational carrier prior to the birth and up to six months after birth.

(c) Actual lost wages of the gestational carrier, not covered under a disability insurance policy, when bed rest has been prescribed for the gestational carrier for some maternal or fetal complication of pregnancy and the gestational carrier, who is employed, is unable to work during the prescribed period of bed rest.

(d) Actual travel costs related to the pregnancy and delivery, court costs, and attorney fees incurred by the gestational carrier.

(e) Payment of a judicially sanctioned settlement or judgment rendered in favor of the gestational carrier or her heirs as a result of her death, loss of reproductive organs or capability, or any other health complication caused by the in utero embryo transfer, pregnancy or resulting childbirth, miscarriage, or termination of pregnancy.

(4) The parties understand the contract and freely give consent.

Acts 2016, No. 494, §1.