Assisted Reproduction. Assisted reproduction is a method of causing pregnancy by means other than sexual intercourse. Assisted reproduction includes impregnation by intrauterine or intracervical insemination, donation of gametes, donation of embryos, in-vitro fertilization and transfer of embryos, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. A donor is an individual who provides gametes intended for use in assisted reproduction. Gametes are sperm, eggs, or any part thereof.

Uniform Disciplinary Act. The Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA) provides a legal and policy framework for the regulation and oversight of health care providers by the relevant disciplining authorities for each health care provider. Disciplining authorities have the authority to investigate all complaints or reports of unprofessional conduct as defined under the UDA. Upon a finding, after a hearing, that a license holder has committed unprofessional conduct, the disciplining authority is required to issue and order including appropriate sanctions.

Assault in the Third Degree. Assault is the intentional infliction of bodily injury to another person with unlawful force, unlawfully touching another person with criminal intent, or putting another person in apprehension of harm. A person commits assault in the third degree if the person commits an assault of a member of one of the statutorily enumerated classes or commits an assault with a particular criminal mental state. In most circumstances, excluding assaulting a police officer with a stun gun, assault in the third degree is classified as a seriousness level III, class C felony, meaning a person with no relevant criminal history convicted of this crime would face a standard sentencing range of one to three months imprisonment.

A new alternative method of committing assault in the third degree is created. A person commits assault in the third degree if the person implants their gametes or reproductive material into a patient without the patient's written consent.

Under the Uniform Disciplinary Act, it is unprofessional conduct for a licensed health care provider to implant their gametes or reproductive material into a patient without the patient's written consent.

By August 1, 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) must convene a work group to evaluate and make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature related to addressing fraud in assisted reproduction. The work group must evaluate and make recommendations related to the following:

• conduct that may constitute fraud in assisted reproduction;
• whether particular forms of fraud in assisted reproduction should be subject to increased regulation and enforcement;
• whether certain information about the identity and background of donors should be protected or shared, and with whom that information should be shared and not shared;
• whether to allow or prohibit anonymous donations;
• whether there should be any limits on how frequently the same person may provide donations of reproductive material;
• current regulations on assisted reproduction services offered by health care providers, fertility clinics, and gamete banks in Washington;
• approaches other jurisdictions have undertaken to address fraud in assisted reproduction;
• resources for victims of fraud in assisted reproduction; and
• any other relevant factors or considerations.

The DOH must issue a final report to the Governor and the Legislature by October 1, 2025, and the work group expires January 1, 2026.