Governor Doug Ducey signed CAP-supported bill SB 1393, making sure that courts in a divorce dispute will award in vitro embryos to the spouse that wants them for the purpose of having children. This newly signed law makes clear that Arizona public policy favors bringing the in vitro embryos to birth.

The bill came in response to a judicial ruling last summer denying Ruby Torres the right to bring her frozen in vitro embryos to birth.

In 2014, before undergoing treatment for cancer, Ruby and her fiancée agreed to complete in vitro fertilization so that they could have children in the future. They created frozen embryos. Ruby underwent cancer treatment, and her cancer went into remission. However, their marriage ended in a divorce, leaving a Maricopa County Superior Court judge to decide how to award their embryos. Ruby wanted the embryos because they were likely her only chance to have biological children. Her husband did not want Ruby to be awarded the embryos The Superior Court judge noted that Arizona law is silent on the matter, and ordered the embryos to be donated to a fertility bank or another couple.

SB 1393 ensures that spouses in Ruby’s position will be awarded the embryos and will not be at risk of losing them to a third party.

Join me in thanking Gov. Ducey and Senator Nancy Barto, the sponsor of this bill.

To send them a quick thank you, click here for Gov. Ducey and here for Senator Barto. Our elected officials receive much criticism – let’s be sure to thank them at times like this.

To view voting records on the bill click here.

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