Spurred by the Netflix documentary, “Our Father” — which chronicles former Indianapolis-based fertility doctor Donald Cline, who used his own sperm to impregnate dozens of unsuspecting patients — U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) proposed a bipartisan bill that would make such fertility fraud a federal crime.
“After watching the “Our Father” documentary, I was appalled that there has been no justice for the families who have been impacted by this heartbreaking situation,” Rep. Bice said in an Aug. 16 statement. “It is imperative that we prevent these tragic situations from ever happening again and protect families from future predators.”
Rep. Bice on July 29 sponsored the Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2022, H.R. 8600, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) to criminalize abuse regarding assisted reproductive technology, according to the text of the bill.
“This is why I introduced the Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act: to criminalize these horrific actions by doctors like Dr. Cline,” said Rep. Bice. “I am grateful for the support of my colleague Rep. Sherrill and for the advocacy of the victims who suffered from these heinous acts.”
If enacted, H.R. 8600 would establish a new federal crime for knowingly misrepresenting the nature or source of DNA used in assisted reproductive procedures and other fertility treatments that would have a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and include fines and mandatory restitution to victims, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Bice’s staff.
Additionally, H.R. 8600 would add the new crime as a predicate offense under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to strengthen subpoena and prosecutorial avenues in instances where there is a pattern of behavior involving multiple alleged offenses, the summary says.
“My colleague Congresswoman Bice and I are working together to protect the rights of female patients, their partners, and their children,” said Rep. Sherrill. “This legislation will crack down on reproductive fraud by making it a federal crime to misrepresent the source of DNA used in these extremely personal fertility treatments and allow families to seek justice in the court system.”
H.R. 8600 has been referred to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for consideration.