2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 15 - Domestic Relations › Chapter 15-8.1 - Uniform Parentage Act › Article 8 - Parentage by Gestational Carrier Agreement › Section 15-8.1-802. - Gestational carrier agreement.

§ 15-8.1-802. Gestational carrier agreement.
(a)
A prospective gestational carrier, that individual’s spouse, if any, and the intended parent or parents may enter into a written agreement that:
(1)
The prospective gestational carrier agrees to pregnancy by means of assisted reproduction;
(2)
The prospective gestational carrier and that individual’s spouse, if any, have no rights and duties as the parents of a child conceived through assisted reproduction; and
(3)
The intended parent or parents will be the parents of any resulting child.
(b)
A gestational carrier agreement is enforceable only if it meets the following requirements:
(1)
The agreement shall be in writing and signed by all parties;
(2)
The agreement shall not require more than a one-year term to achieve pregnancy; and
(3)
At least one of the intended parents shall be a resident of the United States.
(4)
The agreement shall be executed before the commencement of any medical procedures, other than the medical evaluations required by § 15-8.1-801 and, in every instance, before transfer of embryos or gametes.
(5)
The gestational carrier and the intended parent or parents shall meet the eligibility requirements of § 15-8.1-801.
(6)
If any party is married, the party’s spouse shall be a party to the agreement.
(7)
The gestational carrier and the intended parent or parents shall be represented by independent legal counsel in all matters concerning the agreement and each counsel shall affirmatively so state in a written declaration attached to the agreement. The declarations shall state that the agreement meets the requirements of this chapter and shall be solely relied upon by health care providers and staff at the time of birth and by the department of health for birth registration and certification purposes in the absence of a court order to the contrary.
(8)
The parties to the agreement shall sign a written acknowledgment of having received a copy of the agreement.
(9)
The signing of the agreement shall be witnessed and signed by at least one other individual.
(10)
The agreement shall expressly provide that the gestational carrier:
(i)
Shall undergo assisted reproduction and attempt to carry and give birth to any resulting child;
(ii)
Has no claim to parentage of any resulting children and all rights of parentage shall vest in the intended parent or parents immediately upon the birth of the children, regardless of whether a court order has been issued at the time of birth; and
(iii)
Shall acknowledge the exclusive parentage of the intended parent or parents of all resulting children.
(11)
If the gestational carrier is married, the carrier’s spouse:
(i)
Shall acknowledge and agree to abide by the obligations imposed on the gestational carrier by the terms of the gestational carrier agreement;
(ii)
Has no claim to parentage of any resulting children and all rights of parentage shall vest in the intended parent or parents immediately upon the birth of the children, regardless of whether a court order has been issued at the time of birth; and
(iii)
Shall acknowledge the exclusive parentage of the intended parent or parents of all resulting children.
(12)
The gestational carrier shall have the right to use the services of a health care provider or providers of the gestational carrier’s choosing to provide care during the pregnancy.
(13)
The agreement should provide for the disposition of embryos, if any, in the event of termination of the agreement, the death of an intended parent or parents, or of the divorce of the intended parents before transfer or implantation.
(14)
The intended parent or parents shall:
(i)
Be the exclusive parent or parents and accept parental rights and responsibilities of all resulting children immediately upon birth regardless of the number, gender, or mental or physical condition of the child or children; and
(ii)
Assume responsibility for the financial support of all resulting children immediately upon the birth of the children.
(c)
Except as provided in § 15-8.1-809, a gestational carrier agreement may include provisions for payment of consideration and reasonable expenses to a prospective gestational carrier, provided they are negotiated in good faith between the parties.
(d)
A gestational carrier agreement shall permit the individual acting as a gestational carrier to make all health and welfare decisions regarding the gestational carrier’s health and pregnancy, including, but not limited to, whether to consent to a caesarean section or multiple embryo transfer, and shall not enlarge or diminish the gestational carrier’s right to terminate the pregnancy. Except as otherwise provided by law, any written or verbal agreement purporting to waive or limit these rights is void as against public policy.
History of Section.
P.L. 2020, ch. 59, § 2; P.L. 2020, ch. 60, § 2.