Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB697: AN ACT relating to commercial surrogacy.
Status: In committee, March 2, 2026
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 199 to define terms; establish that it is unlawful to offer commercial surrogacy services or enter into commercial surrogacy agreements in the Commonwealth or with a resident of the Commonwealth; establish that the penalties established do not apply to altruistic surrogacy, a woman acting as a surrogate, or a child born as a result of a prohibited commercial surrogacy arrangement; amend KRS 199.990 to establish that a violation of the prohibitions regarding commercial surrogacy is a Class D felony for the first offense and a Class C felony for any subsequent offense; establish an additional civil penalty of not less than $10,000 for each violation with continued violations resulting in a forfeiture of the right to do business in this state; establish that any commercial surrogacy agreement is void and unenforceable as against public policy; amend KRS 199.590 to conform; establish that the penalties created shall apply to all contracts or agreements entered into after the effective date of the Act; make technical corrections.
What the bill says
An act relating to commercial surrogacy.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to commercial surrogacy. WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has a compelling interest in protecting the dignity, health, and safety of women and children and preventing the commodification of human life; and WHEREAS, commercial surrogacy treats children and the reproductive capacity of women as objects of contractual exchange, reducing pregnancy and birth to market transactions; and WHEREAS, commercial surrogacy has been linked nationally and internationally to the exploitation of economically vulnerable women and practices consistent with human trafficking, coercion, and undue inducement; and WHEREAS, the United States lacks comprehensive federal regulation governing commercial surrogacy, resulting in inconsistent state laws and minimal protections for women and children; and WHEREAS, numerous nations prohibit commercial surrogacy, recognizing that financial inducement for pregnancy creates inherent risks of exploitation and abuse; and WHEREAS, Kentucky has an obligation to prevent out-of-state and international surrogacy industries from targeting Kentucky women and families through advertising, recruitment, or contractual arrangements; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly finds that prohibiting commercial surrogacy while recognizing strictly defined altruistic surrogacy advances the best interests of women, children, and families; NOW, THEREFORE, Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 199 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: As used in Sections 1 to 3 of this Act: (1) "Altruistic surrogacy" …
Sponsors
- Nancy Tate (R, HD-027) · primary sponsor
- Steven Doan (R, HD-069)
- T.J. Roberts (R, HD-066)
Latest actions
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Public Protection, Criminal Procedure, Crimes And Punishments, Children And Minors, Parental Rights, Women, Reproductive Issues, Technical Corrections
Common questions
- What is HB697?
- HB697 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to commercial surrogacy.
- What does HB697 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to commercial surrogacy.
- What is the status of HB697?
- In committee as of March 2, 2026. Latest action: to Judiciary (H) (March 2, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB697?
- Nancy Tate (R, HD-027), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB697?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb697.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.